ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF hosts its first of two exhibition matches on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. against Tampa. Admission to the event at the UCF Soccer Complex is free.
The Knights started preparation for the campaign on Aug. 10 with their first practice. The squad has held a pair of training sessions during each of first five days on the pitch.
A total of 11 newcomers have been training alongside 12 returners. UCF has six starters coming back after posting a 7-8-2 overall record and finishing fifth in The American with a 3-4-1 mark in 2015.
Sophomore goalkeeper Brendan Rennie started the final seven matches for the Knights last year and tallied 24 saves and two shutouts. Six goals and eight assists were registered by junior midfielder Matias Pyysalo to pace the Knights.
Tampa recorded a 9-7 overall record in 2015, while posting a 5-3 mark in Sunshine State Conference play.
Tuesday's match serves as a walk through for the official supporter's group of UCF soccer, Knights Watch. Membership is $50 for non-students and features season tickets, a soccer scarf, a T-shirt and several catered tailgates. Student membership can be purchased for $15.
UCF soccer presented by Napleton's Volkswagen concludes its exhibition slate on Sunday with a 6 p.m. match against Florida Southern. The Knights open the regular season on Aug. 29 at Grand Canyon with the kick set for 9 p.m. ET.
Season tickets, which includes a general admission seat to all regular season home games and a scarf, can be purchased for $30. Youth (age 2-17) season tickets are available for $15. For more information about season tickets, click here or call 407-UCF-1000.