ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After a tough three-match road trip, UCF returns home Saturday for a 7 p.m. meeting with conference-leader UConn. On Fan Appreciation Day, spectators will have a choice of receiving a scarf, t-shirt or pair of sunglasses.
UCF Knights (3-8-0, 1-3-0) vs. UConn Huskies (11-4-0, 3-1-0)
Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 | 7 p.m.
Orlando, Fla. | UCF Soccer Complex
UCFKnights.TV | Live Stats | @UCF_MSoccer | Game Notes
Noting the Knights
- Junior Matias Pyysalo set a new career-high with eight goals after opening the scoring at Stetson. The Helsinki, Finland, native has found the score sheet in each of the last six matches, accumulating 12 points (5 G, 2 A). He ranks fifth nationally in points per game (1.80).
- Since returning from an injury that forced him out for over a month, freshman Cal Jennings has assisted on two goals from Pyysalo and netted a goal of his own in three contests. Jennings set a career-best with six shots, four on goal, at Stetson.
- The Knights have played in eight matches decided by one goal, but have only been able to notch two shutout victories.
- Freshman Matt Rosenberg notched back-to-back shutouts against SMU and Northwestern.
- Three goals have been tallied by freshman Richard Amon, who is second on the team in points with seven.
- After starting and completing the first nine matches in his UCF career, sophomore Jonathan Dean's streak of playing 810-consecutive minutes came to an end at Tulsa. He missed the trip to attend a family wedding.
- Head coach Bryan Cunningham is in his 10th season at the helm of the Knights.
Last Time Out
- Junior Walker Dawkins created a turnover and started a counter attack, sending Matias Pyysalo on a breakaway that put UCF up 1-0 in the ninth minute.
- The Hatters converted a penalty kick with five minutes remaining and scored the game winner in the 102nd minute of the second overtime.
- UCF controlled the first overtime and had a 4-1 advantage in shots, but it was unable to find the back of the net.
- Matt Rosenberg made six saves during the contest.
Scouting the Huskies
- UConn has posted an 11-4-0 overall mark with non-conference wins over Iona, Omaha, Cornell, Loyola Maryland, Rhode Island, Providence, Yale and Boston College
- Conference wins were registered against Temple, Tulsa and Cincinnati before dropping a 1-0 decision vs. USF.
- Abdou Thiam leads the Huskies with nine goals and four assists, accounting for 22 points.
- Eight shutouts and an 11-4-0 marks has been posted by Scott Levene, who ranks 13th nationally with a 0.52 goals-against average.
Series History
- The Knights are seeking their first victory over UConn. The Huskies have posted a 7-0-1 mark in the all-time series.
- As members of The American, UCF earned a 2-2 2OT draw in the first meeting back in 2013, but have since dropped a pair of one-goal matches 0-1 at home in 2014 and 2-1 in 2015.
The Finnish Finisher
- Matias Pyysalo paces the Knights with 20 points, which includes eight goals and four assists.
- He ranks fifth nationally in points per game (1.80) and 15th in goals per game (0.72).
- The Helsinki, Finland, native notched a game-winning goal against SMU and now has five in his career. He had the GWG last year against Grand Canyon, Jacksonville, Stetson and Cincinnati.
- In his career, Pyysalo has registered 17 goals and amassed 43 points at UCF.
- A total of 78 shots have been taken by Pyysalo.
Up Next
- The Knights are back on the road Oct. 25 at FIU with a 7 p.m. start before heading to Temple on Oct. 29.
- UCF concludes the regular season at home on Nov. 5 against Cincinnati. The start time will be scheduled around the football kickoff time.