MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF junior Matias Pyysalo and freshman Cal Jennings scored three minutes apart to even the match at 2-all prior to halftime, but Memphis notched a second-half marker to hand the Knights a 3-2 loss Saturday at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
"We wanted to go out on the road and control the tempo of the game, but credit goes to Memphis," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "We got sucked into playing the game their way and consequently, we found ourselves down two goals early. All credit goes to our players for battling back and tying it before the half."
The final two goals from the Tigers came directly off corner kicks. The Knights generated a number of chances when down 3-2, but were unable to find an equalizer in the final 25 minutes.
Two Quick Goals
- In the 37th minute, the Knights started a stretch where they scored twice in a three-minute span.
- The first came on a perfectly played throughball by freshman Cal Jennings to Pyysalo in the box. The Helsinki, Finland, native took a one-touch shot that hit the back of the net for his sixth goal of the campaign.
- Sophomore Jonathan Dean played a free kick from 35-yards out that was misplayed by the keeper. The ball when through the leaping keeper's hands and Jennings headed it into the vacant net.
- It was the first goal of the season for Jennings.
Notable Knights
- Every minute, all 810, of each contest this season has been played by sophomore Jonathan Dean.
- A pair of shots each were registered by juniors Walker Dawkins and Matias Pyysalo.
- The Knights took eight shots and three ended up on target.
- Freshman Matt Rosenberg made three saves on the 18 shots fired by the Tigers.
- Sophomore Anton Delwer earned his second start as a Knight.
Up Next
- The Knights continue a three-match road trip on Oct. 15 with an 8 p.m. match at Tulsa.
- UCF returns to home on Oct. 22 against UConn at 7 p.m.