ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After going 2-0-1 on its first homestand of the season and posting a 3-0 victory over reigning-league champion Tulsa, UCF hits the road for an American Athletic Conference match at No. 22 UConn on Saturday. A hostile environment is expected for the Knights with a sellout anticipated at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.
Fans have a number of options to follow the contest in Storrs, Conn., with free audio, subscription video and live stats.
The Knights are facing their second ranked foe of the season vs. UConn, who is ranked No. 22 in Soccer America and No. 25 in Top Drawer Soccer. UCF earned a 0-0 2OT draw at then-No. 14 West Virginia on Sept. 9, registering their first result vs. a ranked opponent since earning a 2-2 2OT draw at then-No. 24 UConn (10/5/13). The last win for the Knights vs. a ranked opponent came in 1-0 victory against then-No. 17 SMU (10/14/12).
ABOUT THE KNIGHTS
- The Knights (3-5-2) used three second-half goal, including two by The American Offensive Player of the Week, Matias Pyysalo, to power past Tulsa, 3-0, on Oct. 15.
- Sophomore Matthew Rosenberg notched his first shutout of the season and the fourth of his career by making two saves.
- Pyysalo ranks among the nation's leaders in points (4th/2.10), goals (6th/0.80) and assists (27th/0.50) per game.
- The Knights have notched a shuntout in all three of thier victories this season.
- UCF was the 204th out of 205 schools that play men's soccer to appear in a home match. UCF won its home opener, 4-0, vs. Stetson on Oct. 4 after opening the campaign with seven matches on the road.
- The draw against No. 14 West Virginia was the first result earned by UCF vs. a Top 25 since a 2-2 2OT draw at No. 24 UConn (10/5/13).
- Junior Jonathan Dean was named The American Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 11 after helping the back line to consecutive road shutouts at WVU and Jacksonville.
ABOUT THE HUSKIES
- UConn (7-4-2) has tallied league wins over Temple (2-0), Tulsa (1-0), Cincinnati (1-0) and USF (2-0).
- The Huskies have posted non-conference victories against Quinnipiac (1-0 OT), Hofstra (1-0) and Providence (1-0) along with draws vs. North Florida (2-2 2OT) and Georgetown (2-2 2OT).
- The offensive firepower has been brought by Abdou Mbake Thiam, who has nine goals and two assists on the year.
- Goalkeeper Scott Levene has registered a shutout in each of his team's victories and compiled a 0.80 goals-against average.
SERIES HISTORY VS. UCONN
- The Knights posted thier first win over UConn, 2-1, last year with a golden goal in 2OT by Matias Pyysalo.
- The Huskies lead the all-time series with a 7-1-1 record, but the past three meetings have been decided by one goal.
- A 2-2 2OT was registered by the Knights in the first league game back in 2013.
THE FINNISH FINISHER
- Senior Matias Pyysalo was tabbed as The American Preseason Offensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches.
- He tallied a natural hat trick, scoring the final three goals at Jacksonville. It was the first hat trick of his career and the first by a Knight since Deshorn Brown (currently with DC United) accomplished the feat vs. Memphis (10/24/12).
- In the first seven matches, Pyysalo scored five of the seven goals by the Knights.
- The Helsinki, Finland, native tallied six of his 10 goals in conference play in 2016.
- The 2016 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year paced the league with 14 points and delivered game-winning goals vs. SMU (10/1), UConn (10/22) and Cincinnati (11/5).
- He has totaled 26 goals and 20 assists in his career as a Knight. The 26 goals puts him eighth on the all-time charts. Next on the list is Remi Hariz (1998-01) with 27 goals from 1998-01.
STEPPING UP
- The first five matches for the Knights were tough with all four of thier goals being scored in a 4-0 win at Jacksonville.
- The start of conference play sparked the Knights in a pair of hard-fought road defeats to USF (3-2 2OT) and SMU (2-1)
- UCF held leads in both matches, but were unable to finish off their opponents.
- Back home, UCF posted a 4-0 victory over Memphis to boost its confidence, then played a 1-1 2OT draw vs. Memphis.
- An all-around effort aided UCF to a 3-0 victory against physical Tulsa squad.
- The Knights scored eight goals in the five-game stretch and found depth scoring from Cal Jennings (2), Ricardo Oliveros (1) and Andreas Steineger (1)
CALLING ON CALABRESE
- Head coach Scott Calabrese is in his first season guiding the Knights.
- He spent the past three seasons at FIU, taking the program to its first NCAA Tournament in 10 years.
- The Newton, Conn., native has compiled an 85-67-20 overall mark and started the program at East Tennessee State in 2008.
- Calabrese has an experienced staff in Will Clayton, who played and coached at Wake Forest, and Paul Souders, who played for Calabrese at Clemson and coached at New Mexico.
NEXT UP
- The Knights heads home to face Florida Atlantic on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex.
- UCF will recognize its seniors - Matias Pyysalo, Neico Regent and Joel Vartiainen - prior to its Oct. 28 game against Temple.
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 seven teams to the UCF Soccer Complex. Click here or call (407) 823-1000 for ticket information.
BECOME A PART OF THE WATCH
Membership to Knights Watch, the official supporters group of UCF Soccer, begins at $15 for students and $50 for fans. Packages include tickets to all home contests for men's and women's soccer, a Knights Watch T-Shirt, a soccer scarf and a variety of free catered tailgates. To become a member, click here.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news.