ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After three weeks on the road, UCF will make its home debut on Wednesday. The Knights host Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. The first 200 students through the gates at the UCF Soccer Complex will receive a voucher for a Knightro bobblehead that can be picked up following the match.
Students can also pick up an early access pass to Saturday's Maryland football game at Bright House Networks Stadium. The 200 passes that are set to be handed out, enables a student to enter Gate 9 at 5:15 p.m. (15 minutes early).
UCF (0-2-0) vs. Florida Gulf Coast (2-2-1)
Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 | 7 p.m.
Orlando, Fla. | UCF Soccer Complex
UCFKnights.TV | Live Stats | @UCF_MSoccer
Noting the Knights
- The Knights open a six-game homestand on Wednesday vs. Florida Gulf Coast.
- UCF is seeking its first win after dropping road contests at Grand Canyon and South Carolina.
- The last match for the Knights at Mercer was cancelled due to thunderstorms in the Macon, Ga., area. It was the second match of the season effected by inclement weather.
- Freshman Richard Amon paces UCF offensively after tallying two goals in the opening contest against the Lopes.
- The top returner for UCF, junior Matias Pyysalo, scored his first goal of the season at South Carolina after notching six goals and eight assists in 2015.
- Seven newcomers - Brian Jamba, Nathan Bondswell, Jesus Colombo, Richard Amon, Jonathan Dean, Cal Jennings and Matt Rosenberg - started in one of the first two matches, while Anton Delwer and Diego Bacellar have also made appearances.
- Freshman goalkeeper Matt Rosenberg faced 11 shots in a his first-career start at South Carolina and kept a clean sheet in the first half.
- Head coach Bryan Cunningham is in his 10th season at the helm of the Knights.
Last Time Out
- After the Knights had a match cancelled at Charlotte on Sept. 2 due to the remnants of Hurricane Hermine, UCF stayed in the Carolinas to face the Gamecocks two days later.
- The Knights held South Carolina scoreless in the first half, but the Gamecocks notched a pair of goals in a five-minute stretch.
- Junior Matias Pyysalo netted his first goal of the season in the 76th minute off a free kick at the top of the box.
- UCF registered a game-high four shots on goal, but the Gamecocks' keeper saved each opportunity.
Scouting the Eagles
- Florida Gulf Coast enters the match with a 2-2-1 mark after defeating UC Irvine and San Francisco by 2-1 scores in its last two matches.
- The Eagles recorded a 2-2 2OT draw vs. Michigan and suffered 2-1 losses at Northwestern and Loyola Marymount.
- Alberto Ruize paces the squad with four goals and two assists, while Dylan Sacramento has added a pair of goals.
- Goalkeeper Sawyer Jackman has tallied a 2-0-1 record with 11 saves and a 1.24 goals-against average.
Series History
- The teams have met four times, and the all-time series is tied at 1-1-2.
- The Knights are 1-1-0 at home, with a 1-0 2OT triumph in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
- Both draws have been registered in contests played in Ft. Myers.
- Last year, the contest at FGCU was declared a no contest after a second lightning delay forced the match into a stoppage in the 63rd minute. That stoppage pushed the game past three hours from start time, which is the allotted time for a contest to be restarted according to NCAA rules.
Up Next
- The Knights continue their six-match homestand on Saturday with a noon kick against Jacksonville.
- UCF welcomes conference foes South Florida and SMU, along with Northwestern, during this home stretch.
Knights Watch
- Knights Watch, the official supporter's group of UCF soccer, debuted during the 2015 campaign as fans, alumni and students came together.
- Membership packages include a T-shirt, soccer scarf, season tickets and several catered tailgates.
- Students can purchase entry into the group for $15, while fans and alumni can be a part of the \group for $50.