ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF freshmen Cal Jennings and Jesus Colombo each delivered a goal and an assist in the Knights' 3-0 victory against Florida Southern on Sunday. The exhibition match at the UCF Soccer Complex wrapped up the preseason for the squad.
The Knights struck with two goals in a 10-minute span starting in the 17th minute to take a 2-0 advantage into halftime. Junior Joel Vartiainen put UCF up 3-0 in the final 10 minutes of the contest on a beautiful through-ball by Jennings that put the Kuopio, Finland, native alone against the keeper.
"We have had our ups and downs as a group during preseason, but we tried to not get too high or too low because it's a long season," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "The group came out and was very cohesive, determined and deliberate these last few days in practice.
"From the very start, we were the aggressors and had plenty of chances, hitting the cross bar and post [in the first 12 minutes]. Then finally, we started to put some goals away. I was really pleased that we were solid defensively and controlled possession and the chances. Now, we have to put that behind us and get ready for the regular season."
SOLID START
- The Knights had three quality chances in the first 13 minutes:
- 4' - Richard Amon hit the cross bar on a strike from the top of the box
- 11' – Neico Regent's header goes off the near post after a Matias Pyysalo cross.
- 13' – Walker Dawkins' strike following a deflection goes just wide.
- Jennings put the Knights on the board four minutes later on a shot from 23 yards out that beat the keeper to the far corner. The opportunity was set up by Colombo's pass from the midfield.
- In the 26th minute, Colombo found the back of the net after receiving a pass on the right wing from Pyysalo.
"We did a really good job of applying pressure early and not conceding a goal in transition, because that is how the game of soccer plays out sometimes," Pyysalo said. "We knew that a goal was coming, and it was awesome to see that Cal [Jennings] and Jesus [Colombo] were able to score for us."
"We need threats from all different areas and we did that tonight," Cunningham said. "We were dangerous in a multitude of ways – down the middle, getting the ball out wide, putting the ball through – and that is how we want to create offense moving forward."
CLEAN SHEET
- The UCF defense helped freshman goalkeeper Matt Rosenberg post a shutout in his collegiate debut.
- The Manalapan, N.J., native was forced to make just one save in the contest.
- The Knights' defense controlled the Spartans' chance by keeping most of their eight shots to the outside.
- UCF controlled play in the first half and held a decisive 8-3 advantage in shots.
"The goalkeeper is always an important position, because if the keeper is confident, then the whole team will follow his lead," Pyysalo said. "I really felt that he was loud, confident and made a few good saves. The whole team really rallied around him."
NEXT UP
- The Knights start the regular season on Friday at Grand Canyon. The kick is set for 9 pm ET.
- UCF plays three-straight matches on the road before its home opener on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. against Florida Gulf Coast.
BEGIN YOUR WATCH
- Packages for Knights Watch, the official supporter's group of UCF Soccer presented by Napleton's Volkswagen, begin at $15 for students and $50 for alumni and fans.
- Each membership includes season tickets, a soccer scarf, t-shirt and several catered tailgates.