ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - After seven matches on the road to start the season, UCF was ready for its home opener on Wednesday. Junior Cal Jennings scored two goals just over two minutes a part in the first half to lead the Knights to a 4-0 victory over Stetson at the UCF Soccer Complex.
"We are a team that wants to attack," head coach Scott Calabrese said. "We want to go out, create chances, score goals and win games. This result gives our players confidence in what they are doing and what the coaches are asking them to do."
Senior Matias Pyysalo and junior Ricardo Oliveros added second-half insurance markers for the Knights (2-5-1). Pyysalo finished with four points - one goal and two assists - against the Hatters (5-5-0)
"Matias is always the best person on the field," junior Cal Jennings said. "He is always working hard and very consistent. He makes my job easy. When Matias gets the ball, I am ready to move and get on the end of one of his passes."
A seven-save shutout was registered by freshman Yannik Oettl. It was the Munich, Germany, native's third clean sheet of the season. He guided a back line that featured Andreas Steineger, Jack McCloskey, Zachary Waitman and Francois Dulysse.
QUICK STRIKE CAL
- Jennings sparked the Knights' offense by using a header to find the back of the net on a cross by Francois Dulysse in the 18th minute.
- Just over two minutes later, Pyysalo dribbled around a defender and distributed to Jennings, who drove towards the goal and beat the keeper with a finesse move.
"God blessed me with a good day today. My teammates really set me up nicely. I am always happy to get on the scoresheet, but it is more important that we got a win at home in front of our fans."
-F Cal Jennings
"We started very well today. When we are comfortable with the ball, then we can create a lot of chances. It has been a big focus for us to be dangerous in the box."
-M Matias Pyysalo
FINISHING OPPORTUNITIES
- After Pyysalo scored five of the first seven goals of the year, Jennings (2) and Oliveros found the scoresheet against the Hatters to provide some depth scoring.
- Pyysalo finished a cross by Jennings in the 52nd minute with a one-touch strike just outside the six-yard box.
- The Knights generated a game-high 14 shots of which seven were on target.
- A total of 10 corner kicks were also earned by UCF.
"We found the good pass that led to a better chance that we otherwise wouldn't have had. We had the quality to play the right pass at the right moment and on the right foot - all of those things were there today."
-Head Coach Scott Calabrese
"We have focused on being dangerous in the box the past two weeks. Today, it all paid off. We have been very resilient with it. I am glad to see the hard work paying off."
-M Matias Pyysalo
HOME SWEET HOME
- The season started 41 days ago and the Knights played seven matches on the road before tonight.
- The Knights were excited to play in front of their home fans and the Knights Watch.
- UCF was the 204th team out of 205 teams in NCAA Division I men's soccer to play a home match. Houston Baptist plays its first home game on Thursday evening.
"It has been very tough, playing seven away games in a row. I am happy to see that there were quite a lot of fans and it was a very good atmosphere. It's definitely refreshing to play a home game and we look forward to our next game."
-M Matias Pyysalo
"It is a bit of a relief. We were ready to be home. It is a lot of fun. We are ready to celebrate this win and stay focused for Memphis."
-F Cal Jennings
NEXT UP
- The Knight continue a three-match home stretch on Saturday at 7 p.m. against Memphis. The first 100 fans will receive a UCF car flag.
- UCF hosts Tulsa on Oct. 15 with the kick set for noon.
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.
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