ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – With six points in The American standings and two matches remaining, UCF knows that two victories secures its place in the postseason. The Knights are taking it one match at a time, starting with a meeting at Temple on Saturday at 7 p.m.
UCF Knights (4-9-0, 2-3-0) at Temple Owls (9-5-2, 1-2-2)
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016 | 7 p.m.
Philadelphia, Pa. | Temple Sports Complex
Video (free) | Live Stats | @UCF_MSoccer | Game Notes
Noting the Knights
- With two conference games remaining, UCF needs victories at Temple and at home vs. Cincinnati to secure a spot in the four-team American Championship.
- 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 seven-straight, accumulating 15 points (6 G, 3 A), before UCF was shutout at FIU. He ranks ninth nationally in points per game (1.77).
- 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.
- 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 five 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 three victories.
- Freshman Matt Rosenberg notched back-to-back shutouts against SMU and Northwestern. He has compiled a 1.73 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
- UCF suffered a 2-0 setback at FIU on Tuesday night. The Golden Panthers registered two tallies in the final 20 minutes of the contest.
- The Knights held a possession advantage in the first 35 minutes, totaling a 4-2 lead in shots
- Brian Jamba recorded a match-high three shots for the Knights.
Scouting the Owls
- Temple registered an 8-3-0 mark in non-conference play, notching wins over Manhattan, Saint Joseph's, Pittsburgh, Northeastern, Fairfield, Penn State, Villanova and Delaware.
- In league action, the Owls are 1-2-2 with a road victory over SMU.
- Jorge Gomez-Sanchez paces the Owls and The American with 13 goals and 29 points.
- Goalkeeper Alex Cagle has started every match and compiled a 0.86 goals-against average with seven clean sheets.
Series History
- UCF holds a 1-0-2 advantage in the all-time series against Temple.
- After the first two meetings ended in draws, the Knights posted a 3-1 victory last year in Orlando.
The Finnish Finisher
- Matias Pyysalo paces the Knights with 23 points, which includes nine goals and five assists.
- He ranks ninth nationally in points per game (1.77) and 12th in goals per game (0.69).
- Pyysalo provided 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 of80 shots have been taken by Pyysalo in three seasons.
Up Next
- UCF concludes the regular season at home on Nov. 5 against Cincinnati at noon.
- Seniors Phil Hicks, Javier Clavijo and Diego Bacellar will be recognized prior to the match.