Sept. 26, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Playing against one of the nation's top squads, the UCF men's soccer team lost in heartbreaking fashion Wednesday, falling 2-1 to No. 12 Charlotte in double overtime at the UCF Soccer Complex. The 49ers, who advanced to the final match of the NCAA College Cup a year ago, escaped with the victory in the 102nd minute when Will Mayhew scored.
The Knights (2-3-2) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute when Deshorn Brown scored off an on-point pass from Jeff Michaud, but the 49ers, who improved to 6-1-2, responded with the final two goals of the evening.
"We are so close to push it over the top. We just haven't done it. It is close. We played well. We created chances, but we gave up two soft goals," UCF head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "In the end, we need to grow from this experience and keep getting better. It doesn't get any easier from this point forward."
The Knights finished with a 17-15 edge in shots and a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
With the score tied 1-1, the hosts had some chances late to regain the lead, but were unable to score. Matthew Gaskins had a solid look from 20 yards out with five minutes remaining in regulation, but his shot sailed high. Three minutes later, Steven Lamberta nearly beat Klay Davis with a header, but the Charlotte keeper grabbed one of his eight saves on the night.
The match was the third-straight that ended in double overtime for the Knights.
UCF was facing its second ranked opponent this season. On Sept. 1, the Knights hosted No. 11 Old Dominion.
The Knights had three great scoring chances in the opening half, with the final coming with eight seconds remaining when Dallas Sikes' header was stopped by Davis. Eight minutes earlier, Omar Vallejo nearly scored off a feed from Lamberta, but his shot from inside the box went wide. In the 11th minute, Brown secured a feed from Vallejo and raced toward the goal with only Davis in front, but his attempt went wide right.
Charlotte tied the match in the 72nd minute when Giuseppe Gentile headed in a pass from Isaac Caughran.
Brown recorded a match-high four shots, with three coming on goal. Sebastian Evers played all 102 minutes in the net for the Knights and totaled two saves.
The Knights will return to action Saturday at North Florida in Jacksonville. UCF's next home match is set for Oct. 3 against FIU. The contest with the Panthers will serve as the Knights' Conference USA opener.