ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF and Memphis played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening at the UCF Soccer Complex. Both goals in the match were scored in the first 16 minutes.
The Knights (2-5-2, 0-2-1 The American) had a number of opportunities to tally the go-ahead goal, but were unable to find the back of the net over the final 85 minutes against Memphis (2-5-3, 1-1-1 The American).
STUNNER BY STEINEGER
- After Memphis scored in the 10th minute, a header by junior Andreas Steineger on a beautiful cross from freshman Hattabiou Barry brought the Knights even.
- It was the first marker for Steineger, a center back, in his three years with the Knights.
- The play started with a short corner played by senior Matias Pyysalo.
"We've been practicing some different corner techniques. I was just there and headed the ball in pretty easy. I'm just lucky to get a score."
-Andreas Steineger
"Hatta found Andreas with a ball whipped in with some pace and into the right area. He basically put it on his head and Andreas finished it perfectly. It was nice to see us score on a set piece, which is something that we have been focusing on in training."
-Head Coach Scott Calabrese
CLOSE CHANCES
- The Knights had a couple of golden opportunities, including a penalty kick that was stopped.
- During the 83rd minute, junior Noah Murphy was taken down by the Tigers' goalkeeper in the box, awarding a penalty kick for UCF.
- The penalty strike by Pyysalo was saved by the fingertips of the out-stretched keeper, Jake Leeker.
- UCF additionally had two goals called back due to offside in the 35th and 65th minutes.
- The Knights controlled possession for a majority of the match, leading to a number of crosses that just missed their intended targets.
- A match-high three shots were taken by sophomore Cal Jennigns.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
- The UCF backline - freshmen Francois Dulysse, Zack McCloskey, junior Zachary Waitman and Andreas Steineger - thwarted the Tigers' attack after conceding the first goal.
- The Knights allowed just one Memphis shot over the final 65 minutes of the match after both teams had four shots that the half.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Matt Rosenberg made one save in his second start of the season.
"We have been playing a lot together now and are starting to get to know each other. The communication is good and we are starting to actually battle for each other. I think that is the key part of it. We are just enjoying ourselves."
-Andreas Steineger
NEXT UP
- The Knight conclude a three-match home stretch on Sunday at noon against Tulsa.
- UCF is back on the road Oct. 20 with a contest at UConn.
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.
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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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