ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The Knights' six-match homestand continues on Saturday with a 7 p.m. start against conference-foe SMU. The match serves as SGA Night with giveaways including sunglasses, sunglass straps, hats and popsicles to students.
Earlier this week, freshman Richard Amon was inspired by attending an on-campus event about the book Outcasts United. Click here to read the full story.
UCF Knights (1-5-0, 0-1-0) vs. SMU Mustangs (4-6-1, 0-1-0)
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 | 7 p.m.
Orlando, Fla. | UCF Soccer Complex
UCFKnights.TV | Live Stats | @UCF_Knights
Noting the Knights
- Junior midfielder Matias Pyysalo scored his fourth goal of the season, but the Knights dropped the War On I-4 to USF, 2-1, on Sept. 24.
- Pyysalo also paces the Knights with 10 points - four goals and two assists.
- Forward Richard Amon netted his third goal of the campaign 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.
- Junior Neico Regent, sophomore Gorka Aperribay and freshman Jesus Colombo each scored their first goal of the season in the first two matches of 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 540 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 controlled the run of play in the War On I-4 against rival USF, but fell 2-1.
- Matias Pyysalo pulled UCF even in the 27th minute on a strike from 25-yards out.
- Both USF goals came on well-struck shots, including the game-winner, which landed in the top corner from 30-yards out.
- The Knights finished with a 15-7 edge in shots, while also recording eight shots on target.
- The Bulls currently lead the War On I-4 rivalry series is currently led by USF by a 6-3 margin following the men's soccer match.
Scouting the Mustangs
- SMU dropped its conference opener to Tulsa at home, 3-0, and comes into the match with a 4-6-0 mark.
- The Mustangs have defeated No. 16 Akron, Oral Roberts, Incarnate Word and Western Illinois.
- Three goals each have been scored by Mauro Cichero and Brenden Lee.
- A 3-5-1 mark has been posted by goalkeeper Michael Nelson, who has tallied a 1.57 goals-against average.
Series History
- SMU holds a 5-3-4 mark in the all-time series. All 12 meetings have occurred with both teams being members of either The American or Conference USA.
- The Knights are 2-1-2 against the Mustangs in Orlando.
- All three of UCF's wins in the series for UCF came in consecutive matches from 2010-12.
Up Next
- The Knights wrap up their current six-match homestand on Wednesday against Northwestern on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.
- UCF returns to conference action on Oct. 8 with an 8 p.m. kick at Memphis.