ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF senior Matias Pyysalo was recognized as The American Offensive Player of the Week on Monday by the league office. He aided the Knights to a 3-0 win vs. Tulsa by tallying two goals and one assist.
The Helsinki, Finland, native opened the scoring in the 54th minute by sending a cross from the right wing that found its way into the back of the net.
The second marker for Pyysalo was a fantastic strike off a rebound on a shot taken by senior Joel Vartiainen. The rebound came 15 yards out and Pyysalo struck a high volley off the near post and into the net, stretching the lead to 2-0 in the 63rd minute.
On the third goal for the Knights, Pyysalo sent sophomore Cal Jennings in on a breakaway and he finished with a shot along the ground the beat the keeper in the 74th minute.
The Knights held the Hurricane off the board and notched their second victory in 14 meetings in the all-time series against Tulsa. The last win by the Knights came in a 2-1 decision during the 2011 campaign.
This is the third time in his career that Pyysalo has received an offensive player of the week honor from the league. The 2017 American Athletic Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year has totaled a team-best eight goals and added five assist.
NEXT UP
- UCF is back on the road Saturday with a contest at first-place UConn.
- The Knights return home to face Florida Atlantic on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
A NEW ERA
The UCF men's soccer team is in its first campaign under the guidance of head coach Scott Calabrese and will welcome five teams to the UCF Soccer Complex. Click here or call (407) 823-1000 for ticket information.
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