Vs. USF (09-24) - Images by UCF KnightsORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF junior forward Matias Pyysalo netted his fourth goal of the season to even the War on I-4 in the first half on Saturday. A tremendous strike by USF's Gonzalo Rodgriguez in the 66th minute proved to be the difference in the contest at the UCF Soccer Complex.
"From the start we were sharp, unfortunately, they scored two great goals to beat us tonight," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "No possession, no combination plays, just two really nice shots (beat us). Other than that we had chances all game. It seems like a little bit of déjà vu being down a goal. Our players were resilient, came back into the game and kept battling. We just needed to get that second goal."
LEVELING IT UP
- After USF struck first in the 20th minute, the Knights evened the match seven minutes later on a strike from junior Matias Pyysalo.
- The Helsinki, Finland, native took a pass from junior Neico Regent and found the back of the net from the right wing off the far post.
- The marker was the team-leading fourth of the season for Pyysalo.
"Of course, it's good to see that the work we did in practice (pay off). We executed in the game, (and) that's a good foundation to build on as we go forward in our conference play."
-Sophomore forward Matias Pyysalo
KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Knights finished the match with a 15-7 advantage in shots, which included eight shots on target.
- The Bulls' goalkeeper Christian Knight made seven stops to help his team stay ahead.
- Junior Matias Pyysalo delivered a season-high six shots toward the net, which included three on goal.
- A pair of shots each were registered by junior Joel Vartiainen, sophomore Andreas Steineger and freshman Richard Amon.
- Freshman Richard Amon had a great opportunity in the 75th minute on a rebound off a shot by Pyysalo, but his off-balanced strike went just wide of the far post.
THE WAR ON I-4
- The War On I-4 rivalry series was announced on Sept. 21 with the Knights' volleyball team earning the first three points of the year-long competition.
- After tonight's match, USF takes a 6-3 lead on the points scoreboard.
- The winner of the year-long competition takes possession of a trophy shaped like the iconic I-4 road sign. A separate trophy will be awarded to the victory of the annual Thanksgiving weekend football clash.
"Traditionally, this game has always been tight between our two teams. The fans have always been here, but it has just ramped up now because of the War on I-4. It just creates a really electric atmosphere out there for both teams and hopefully that continues."
-Head Coach Bryan Cunningham
NEXT UP
- The Knights continue a six-match homestand on Oct. 1 with a 7 p.m. match against SMU.
- UCF wraps up its home stretch on Oct. 5 against Big 10 foe Northwestern.