Battle with the BearsBattle with the Bears

Battle with the Bears

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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF concludes a three-match road trip to open the season on Sunday at Mercer. The contest at Bear Field is set to start at 7 p.m.
 
Fans can follow the action with live stats and in-game updates on Twitter at @UCF_MSoccer.
 
Noting the Knights

  • The Knights are seeking their first victory after dropping road contests at Grand Canyon, 4-2, and South Carolina, 2-1, to start the campaign.
  • Freshman Richard Amon paces UCF offensively after tallying two goals in the opening contest with 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 guiding 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 Bears

  • Mercer enters the match with a 4-1-0 record, which includes victories over Georgia State, South Carolina, Gardner-Webb and Winthrop.
  • The Bears toppled then-No. 24 South Carolina, 3-2, on the road with a goal in the 103rd minute of the second overtime.
  • Max Poore paces the squad with two goals and one assist, while Conner Antley has also accumulated five points with a goal and three assists.
  • Goalkeeper Jeremy Booth has posted a 3-1-0 mark with seven saves.

Series History

  • The Knights hold an 8-5-2 all-time mark against the Bears.
  • Despite UCF firing 18 shots last year, Mercer scored twice in the first half in a 2-0 victory.
  • The Knights are 3-1-1 in games played in Macon.
  • Both teams are former members of the Atlantic Sun. UCF left the league to go to Conference USA in 2005, while Mercer joined the SoCon in 2014.

Up Next

  • After three matches on the road, UCF welcomes Florida Gulf Coast for its home opener on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
  • The Knights' six-match homestand features conference foes South Florida and SMU.