ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The War On I-4 rivalry series officially kicked off on Wednesday and continues on Saturday at 7 p.m. with the Knights welcoming USF. The first 200 students at the UCF Soccer Complex will receive a Knights' soccer scarf.
UCF Knights (1-4-0) vs. South Florida Bulls (3-3-2)
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 | 7 p.m.
Orlando, Fla. | UCF Soccer Complex.
UCFKnights.TV | Live Stats | @UCF_MSoccer
Noting the Knights
- Six points are on the line in the War On I-4 rivalry series, which was announced by both schools on Sept. 21.
- The match serves as The American opener for both schools.
- Freshman Richard Amon tied the team lead in goals with three, scoring the lone marker against North Florida.
- The Knights were featured on Bleacher Report and ESPN following junior Matias Pyysalo's corner-kick goal against Jacksonville. The celebration that followed the goal featured a good old-fashion shoe shine for Pyysalo by classmate Walker Dawkins and his teammates.
- Following his two goals vs. Jacksonville, Pyysalo paces the Knights with eight points - three goals and two assists - and was named to The American Honor Roll.
- Junior Neico Regent, sophomore Gorka Aperribay and freshman Jesus Colombo each scored their first goal of the season during the Knights' six-game homestand.
- Freshman Matt Rosenberg, in his third start, earned his first-career victory after making three saves in UCF's 4-1 victory vs. Jacksonville.
- Sophomore Jonathan Dean has been an iron man for the Knights, playing in all 450 minutes for the squad this season.
- Head coach Bryan Cunningham is in his 10th season at the helm of the Knights.
Last Time Out
- The Knights dropped a 2-1 decision to the Ospreys in their final tune up before conference play.
- UCF was unable to come back from yielding a pair of goal in a two-minute span during the first half.
- Richard Amon scored from a tough angle to cut the Knights' deficit to 2-1 in the 60th minute.
- The Knights finished with a 13-10 advantage in shots. Gorka Aperribay and Amon each tallied four.
Scouting the Bulls
- South Florida enters conference play with a 3-3-2 overall mark, including wins in its last three games over San Francisco, North Florida and Buffalo.
- The Bulls opened the campaign by recording draws against Michigan and American.
- Two goals each have been registered by Nazeem Bartman and Luis Garza.
- Goalkeeper Spasoj Stefanovic has compiled a 1.55 goals-against average and a 3-3-1 mark.
War On I-4 Rivalry Series
- The War On I-4 rivalry series was officially announced on Sept. 21 by the two universities. The Knights' volleyball squad notched the first three points in the series with a sweep of the Bulls that night.
- Six points are up for grabs on the pitch Saturday at the UCF Soccer Complex.
- South Florida has notched a 23-5-4 mark in the all-time series.
- Since 2010, the series has been even with a 2-2-1 mark being posted.
- The Knights notched wins during that stretch in their first year in The American (2013), 1-0, and a 3-0 triumph in the 2010 NCAA Tournament First Round in Orlando.
Up Next
- The Knights continue conference play on Oct. 1 with a 7 p.m. meeting against SMU.
- UCF rounds out its current six-match homestand against Northwestern on Oct. 5.