ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After concluding a six-match homestand with a shutout of Northwestern, UCF resumes play in The American at Memphis on Saturday. The match is set to start at 8 p.m. ET.
"This is how we started the season, so I think that the players are ready to hit the road," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "Obviously, kicking off the trip at Memphis is going to be a really tough conference match. We want to get on our front foot and get after three points on the road."
UCF Knights (3-5-1, 1-1-0) at Memphis Tigers (6-4-1, 0-1-1)
Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 | 8 p.m. ET
Memphis, Tenn. | Mike Rose Soccer Complex
Video ($) | Live Stats | @UCF_MSoccer
Noting the Knights
- The Knights earned their second-straight shutout on Oct. 5 against Northwestern as sophomore Anton Delwer scored the long goal.
- Freshman Matt Rosenberg notched back-to-back shutouts against SMU and Memphis. The rookie has gone 204 straight minutes without conceding a goal.
- Rosenberg has started every match except one this season, making 12 saves and registering three victories.
- 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.
- 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 720 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 notched a 1-0 shutout against Northwestern to conclude a six-match home stand.
- Sophomore Anton Delwer delivered his first goal as a Knight, which was set up by a Matias Pyysalo free kick and header from Javier Clavijo.
- A three-save shutout was registered by freshman Matt Rosenberg, who faced eight shots.
- The Knights set a season high with nine shots on goal, of which seven were in the first half.
- UCF played the final eight minutes with a man advantage after the Northwestern keeper was shown a red card.
Scouting the Tigers
- Memphis has posted a 6-4-1 overall mark with non-conference wins over UAB, Belmont, Missouri State, SIUE, Houston Baptist and Lipscomb.
- The Tigers are 0-1-1 in The American and registered a point in the standing with a 0-0 2OT draw at Temple.
- Jackson Morse paces the Tigers with four goals, while two markers each have been tallied by Julio Vargas and Chandler Klemm.
- A team-best 6-4-1 mark has been posted by Jake Leeker, which includes five shutouts.
Series History
- The Knights hold a 9-6-3 mark in the all-time series that dates back to 1992, however 15 of those meetings have come since 2005 when the squads were members of Conference USA and The American.
- Home is sweet for both squads as each holds an unblemished mark on their pitch. UCF is 7-0-1 in Orlando, while the Tigers are 4-0-2 in Memphis.
- Last year, UCF notched a 1-0 shutout at home, while both teams played to a 2-2 draw in Memphis.
The Finnish Finisher
- Junior Matias Pyysalo paces the Knights with 13 points, which includes five goals and three 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 37 points at UCF.
- A total of 70 shots have been taken by Pyysalo.
Up Next
- The Knights continue a three-match road trip on Oct. 15 with a 8 p.m. at Tulsa.
- UCF returns to home on Oct. 22 against UConn at 7 p.m.