Vs. SMU (10/1) - Images by UCF KnightsORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After more than a two-hour delay for inclement weather, UCF used a second-half goal from junior Matias Pyysalo to move past SMU on Saturday night at the UCF Soccer Complex.
"I am incredibly proud of this team," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "It hasn't been easy and they have given nothing but hard work in training. They are buying and believing in the process. They know in these one-goal games that we have been close."
Despite three of the Knights' defeats coming in extremely tight 2-1 decisions, UCF earned three important points in The American and improved to 2-5-0 on the campaign.
"We were sharp and weathered SMU's storm in the first 10-15 minutes," Cunningham added. "We got into a rhythm where we started to get some chances to be dangerous. Blending that with a little possession and were really on the front foot."
PYYSALO'S FIFTH
- In the 63rd minute, junior Matias Pyysalo tallied his fifth goal of the campaign and fifth game-winning marker of his career.
- Junior Neico Regent and sophomore Jonathan Dean connected on a passing play before Dean sent in a cross from the right wing.
- A one-touch shot from Pyysalo found the back of the net.
"That was a really good goal because passing patters is something that we have been working on in practice. It was great to see us connecting those passes, which created a lot of chances for us tonight."
- Senior Javier Clavijo
FIRST SHUTOUT
- Freshman goalkeeper Matt Rosenberg notched his first-career shutout against SMU.
- The Manalapan, N.J., native also picked up his second victory of the campaign.
- The Knights' defense only allowed two shots on target.
"Communication is really important for the whole team to be on the same page, but it starts from the back and works up the field. If we continue that mindset, then I believe that we have a good chance to win each game."
- Freshman Matt Rosenberg
"The defense wanted to do whatever it took to have a shutout. We had to go for every tackle and always needed to be on the right end of the 50/50 balls."
- Senior Javier Clavijo
KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS
- The streak for sophomore Jonathon Dean continued as he has played in all 630 minutes this season.
- Junior Neico Regent tied a team-high along with Pyysalo with three shots.
- It was a foul-filled match as both teams combined for 27 in the matchup.
- The Knights improved to 3-1-2 against the Mustangs in Orlando.
NEXT UP
- The Knights wrap up a six-match homestand on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Northwestern.
- The first 70 students receive an October Knightro Bobblehead. Twenty-five will also be given away randomly throughout the match.
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