ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The Knights conclude a six-match homestand on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. match against Big Ten-foe Northwestern. The first 70 students receive a Knightro October Bobblehead, while 25 additional bobbleheads will be give out at random to fans.
UCF Knights (2-5-0) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (2-7-1)
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016 | 7 p.m.
Orlando, Fla. | UCF Soccer Complex
Tickets | UCFKnights.TV | Live Stats | @UCF_MSoccer
Noting the Knights
- For the second-consecutive week, junior Matias Pyysalo earned a spot on The American Honor Roll.
- The fifth game-winning goal of Pyysalo's career secured the 1-0 victory over SMU.
- Freshman Matt Rosenberg notched his first-career shutout against SMU to help the Knights earn three valuable conference points.
- Rosenberg has started every match except one this season, making nine saves and notching both victories.
- Three goals have been tallied by freshman Richard Amon, who is second on the team in points with seven.
- The Knights are currently in a tie for third in The American standings with Tulsa and USF.
- Junior Neico Regent, sophomore Gorka Aperribay and freshman Jesus Colombo each scored their first goal of the season in the first two matches of the Knights' six-game homestand.
- Sophomore Jonathan Dean has been an iron man for the Knights, playing in all 630 minutes for the squad this season.
- Head coach Bryan Cunningham is in his 10th season at the helm of the Knights.
Last Time Out
- The Knights earned three conference points with a 1-0 victory against SMU on Oct.1.
- Junior Matias Pyysalo scored in the 63rd minute to put the Knights on top.
- A two-save shutout was registered by freshman Matt Rosenberg, who faced eight shots.
- The match was played following a 2:20 delay for inclement weather
- UCF limited the Mustangs to just three shots in the second half, despite SMU searching for an equalizer.
Scouting the Wildcats
- Northwestern enters the midweek matchup with a 2-7-1 overall record and a 1-3-1 mark in the Big Ten.
- The Wildcats have topped Florida Gulf Coast and Michigan, while earning a 0-0 draw at Indiana.
- A pair of goals each have been scored by Brandon Medina and Elo Ozumba. Medina paces NU with five points.
- Goalkeeper Francisco Tomasino has posted a 1.97 goals-against average, while making 35 saves.
Series History
- The only prior meeting between UCF and Northwestern came last year in Chicago with the Wildcats earning a 1-0 victory.
- Jake Roberge scored the lone goal on a header in the 81st minute to put Northwestern ahead.
- The Knights held a 15-7 edge in shots and fired four on target. Matias Pyysalo paced the match with three shots.
The Finnish Finisher
- Junior Matias Pyysalo paces the Knights with 12 points, which includes five goals and two assists.
- 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 14 goals and amassed 36 points at UCF.
- A total of 68 shots have been taken by Pyysalo.
Up Next
- The Knights begin a three-match road trip on Saturday with an 8 p.m. meeting at conference-foe Memphis.
- UCF returns to home on Oct. 22 against UConn at 7 p.m.
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