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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After finishing in the top four in the league, UCF begins The American Championship on Friday against conference-rival and regular season champion USF. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Corbett Stadium in Tampa.
No. 4 UCF Knights (5-10-0) vs. No. 1 USF Bulls (9-6-2, 6-1-0)
The American Championship | Friday, Nov. 11 | 7 p.m.
Tampa, Fla. | Corbett Stadium
Video (Free) | Live Stats | @UCF_MSoccer | Game Notes
The winner of the contest between the Knights and Bulls advances to the championship game against either No. 2 Tulsa or No. 3 UConn on Sunday at noon on ESPN3. The match will also air via tape-delay on ESPNU at 4 p.m.
Noting the Knights
- Junior Matias Pyysalo was tabbed as The American Offensive Player of the Year after scoring six goals in seven league games. The Helsinki, Finland, native became the second Knight to earn the award since UCF joined the league in 2013, joining Romario Williams (2013).
- Earning a start in every match for the Knights was freshman Brian Jamba, who was selected to The American All-Rookie Team. The Narooma, Australia, native netted his lone goal on a strike from 30-yards out to provide UCF with a 1-0 lead vs. No. 24 UConn.
- After netting the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win vs. Cincinnati, Pyysalo was tabbed as The American Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in a three-week span.
- The Knights clinched a spot in The American Championship with the Cincinnati victory and loss by Temple at South Florida.
- Pyysalo has a career-high 10 goals on the season. He is the third Knight in the past four years to hit double digits in goals, joining Hadji Barry (11 in 2015) and Romario Williams (10 in 2013).
- The Knights have played in 11 matches decided by one goal.
- Freshman Matt Rosenberg notched back-to-back shutouts against SMU and Northwestern. He has compiled a 1.55 goals-against average and three shutouts.
- Three goals have been tallied by freshman Richard Amon, who is second on the team in points with seven.
The Finnish Finisher
- Matias Pyysalo was named the American Offensive Player of the Year after pacing UCF with 25 points, which includes 10 goals and five assists.
- He ranks 11th nationally in points (1.67) and goals (0.67) per game.
- The Helsinki, Finland, native led the conference in goals (6), points (14) and game-winning goals (3).
- Pyysalo provided his first career overtime marker to secure his team's 2-1 victory over No. 24 UConn.
- This season, he notched game-winning goals against the Huskies, SMU and Cincinnati, and has seven 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 49 points in 50 matches at UCF.
- A total of 91 shots have been taken by Pyysalo over three seasons.
The American Championship
- This is the eighth time in 10 seasons that head coach Bryan Cunningham has guided the Knights to the postseason. UCF has reached the semifinal of a league tournament five times during that span, and last accomplished the feat at the 2013 AAC Championship.
- Since joining The American in 2013, UCF is 1-2-1 at the conference's postseason event, which includes falling in penalties at Tulsa in 2015.
- The Knights are seeking their first league tournament title since winning the 2003 A-Sun Championship.
Last Time Out
- The Knights posted a 1-0 shutout of Cincinnati. Matias Pyysalo netted the lone marker eight minutes into the contest.
- The Helsinki, Finland, native was set up by freshman Cal Jennings.
- Goalkeeper Matt Rosenberg only faced two shots and made one save as the Knights backline forced the Bearcats to the outside.
- The match served as senior day for Phil Hicks, Diego Bacellar and Javier Clavijo.
- The victory over the Bearcats moved the Knights from seventh in the league to a tie for third. UCF clinched the fourth position after South Florida defeated Temple later in the evening.
Scouting the Bulls
- South Florida captured The American regular season title with a 6-1-0 mark. Its lone loss came on the road at Cincinnati.
- The Bulls tallied a 9-6-2 overall record with their three non-conference wins coming vs. San Francisco, North Florida and Buffalo.
- Nazeem Bartman and Lindo Mfeka pace USF with 11 points each.
- Goalkeeper Spasoje Stefanovic has compiled a 1.12 goals-against average and notched eight shutouts.
Series History
- South Florida has notched a 24-5-4 mark in the all-time series.
- Since 2010, the series slightly favors USF, who holds a 3-2-1 mark in that span.
- This is the first meeting between the two programs in The American Championship. The Knights and Bulls met in the postseason during the 2010 and 2011 NCAA Tournament.
Last Time against USF
- The Knights controlled the run of play against War On I-4 rival USF, but fell 2-1.
- Matias Pyysalo pulled UCF even in the 27th minute on a strike from 25-yards out.
- Both USF goals came on well-struck shots, including the game-winner, which landed in the top corner from 30-yards out.
- The Knights finished with a 15-7 edge in shots, while also recording eight shots on target.
- No points are awarded in the rivalry series during postseason play.