ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After scoring the game-winning goal to lift UCF to a 2-1 OT win over No. 24 UConn, junior Matias Pyysalo was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week. The league office also announced Monday that freshman Brian Jamba earned rookie honors.
A little less than three minutes into the first overtime, Pyysalo took a long ball that bounced over a defender from sophomore Jonathan Dean on the right wing. The Helsinki, Finland, native had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper and struck the ball into the top corner to secure UCF's first win over UConn on program history.
The marker was the sixth career, game-winning goal for Pyysalo, who has found the back of the net nine times this season. He ranks among the nation's leaders in points with 23 and currently leads The American with four goal in conference matches.
Pyysalo contributed on all three goals that Knights scored during the week to receive his second career league accolade. The forward took a breakaway pass from junior Walker Dawkins and beat the Stetson keeper in the ninth minute. He also assisted on Jamba's marker that put the Knights up 1-0 vs. the Huskies.
That goal by Jamba was a tremendous finish. The Narooma, Australia, native sent a rocket from 30-yards out into the top corner of the net for his first career goal as a Knight.
Jamba earned his first conference rookie honor and played all 195 minutes of the Knights' matches against Stetson and UConn.
UCF Knights (4-8-0) at FIU Panthers (5-6-2)
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2016 | 7 p.m. | Miami, Fla. | FIU Soccer Stadium
Video ($) | Live Stats | Game Notes | @UCF_MSoccer
Noting the Knights
- Junior Matias Pyysalo earned his second career AAC Offensive Player of the Week accolade after netting an overtime marker to lift UCF to a 2-1 victory vs. No. 24 UConn.
- Pyysalo now has a career-high nine goals on the season. The Helsinki, Finland, native has found the score sheet in each of the last seven matches, accumulating 15 points (6 G, 3 A). He paces the league and ranks fifth nationally in points per game (1.92).
- The first career goal by freshman Brian Jamba that was a beautifully struck ball from 30-yards out that landed in the upper 90 to provide UCF with a 1-0 lead in the 77th minute vs. UConn.
- Junior
- Since returning from an injury that forced him out over a month, freshman Cal Jennings has assisted on two goals from Pyysalo and netted a goal of his own in four contests. Jennings set a career-best with six shots, four on goal, at Stetson.
- The Knights have played in nine 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. He has compiled a 1.70 goals-against average.
- Three goals have been tallied by freshman Richard Amon, who is second on the team in points with seven.
- Head coach Bryan Cunningham is in his 10th season at the helm of the Knights.
Last Time Out
- Matias Pyysalo netted his first career overtime goal in the 93rd minute to lift UCF to a 2-1 win at No. 24 UConn. His shot into the top corner beat the keeper and started a celebration for the Knights
- Sophomore defender Jonathan Dean set up the goal by sending a long ball to Pyysalo down the right wing.
- A highlight-reel goal was scored by freshman Brain Jamba, The American Rookie of the Week. His strike from 30-yards out landed in the top corner of the net in the 76th minute.
- Matt Rosenberg earned the victory and made two saves during the contest.
- UConn leveled the match in the 81st minute by scoring on a rebound.
- The victory over the Huskies was the first in program history for the Knights. It was the ninth meeting in the all-time series.
Scouting the Golden Panthers
- FIU has posted 5-6-2 overall record with wins over College of Charleston, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Marshall and Florida Atlantic. The Golden Panthers hold a 3-2-1 mark in Conference USA.
- Santiago Patino leads the Panthers, scoring seven of his team's 15 goals on the season.
- Goalkeeper Arthur Clapot has tallied a four victories, including three shutouts.
Series History
- The all-time series favors the Golden Panthers at 27-12-4.
- Prior to dropping the last two meetings, the Knights had a five-match unbeaten streak, going 4-0-1 from 2009-2013.
The Finnish Finisher
- Matias Pyysalo paces the Knights with 23 points, which includes nine goals and five assists.
- He ranks fifth nationally in points per game (1.80) and 15th in goals per game (0.72).
- Pyysalo provide his first overtime marker to secure his team's 2-1 victory over UConn.
- The Helsinki, Finland, native notched game-winning goals against UConn and SMU and now has six in his career. He had the GWG last year against Grand Canyon, Jacksonville, Stetson and Cincinnati.
- In his career, Pyysalo has registered 18 goals and amassed 46 points at UCF.
- A total of 79 shots have been taken by Pyysalo in three seasons.
Up Next
- The Knights continue a two-match road trip on Saturday with a 7 p.m. start at Temple.
- UCF concludes the regular season at home on Nov. 5 against Cincinnati. The start time will be around the football kickoff time.