DALLAS, Texas (UCFKnights.com) – After winning six-straight games and holding an unbeaten streak of eight matches, UCF found an equalizing goal in the last three minutes of final at The American Championship, but regular-season winner SMU tallied the golden goal in the 96th minute to capture the title, 2-1 OT, on Sunday at Wescott Field.
"I am so proud of this group," head coach Scott Calabrese said. "We grew so much as the season progressed. To overcome the adversity of a 1-5-1 start to the season and continue to fight and work our way into a final shows how much this group waned to succeed!"
The Knights (8-6-2) finished runner-up in the regular season and the tournament. It was the first championship match for the program since 2004.
Senior Matias Pyysalo, junior Andreas Steineger and freshmen Louis Perez and Yoni Sorokin were selected to the all-tournament team.
The match ended up being a battle in the midfield between the two confident sides, riding extended unbeaten streaks. The Knights held a majority of the possession, but conceded the opening goal off a corner kick by SMU. The last-minute equalizer was cross that found the back of the net off a defender.
The game-winning goal by the Mustangs was a fantastic strike by Emil Cuello from 28-yards out that found the upper 90.
STREAK SNAPPED
- The Knights had their eight-match unbeaten streak and stretch of six wins in a row come to an end against the Mustangs. UCF, coincidentally enough, started the streak after a 2-1 loss at SMU on Sept. 29.
- The six-match win streak by the Knights was the second longest stretch in the program's Division I era since 1984. The 1998 squad was able to string together a school-best seven wins in a row.
- During that stretch, senior Matias Pyysalo has six goals, while junior Cal Jennings has added five markers.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Matthew Rosenberg tallied four shutouts and only allowed four goals.
ACCOMPLISHING ACHIEVEMENTS
- UCF finished runner-up in The American regular season after winning its last four league matches and tallying an eight-match unbeaten streak.
- Pyysalo was tabbed as the back-to-back American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
- Six Knights, the second-most in program history, earned The American All-Conference accolades.
- Sophomore Cal Jennings and freshman Yoni Sorokin received first team honors, while second team recognition was received by junior Andreas Steineger and freshmen Louis Perez and Hattabiou Barry.
- Barry, Perez and Sorokin were also selected to the league's all-rookie team.
American Athletic Conference Championship Awards
All-Tournament Team
Louis Perez, M, UCF
Matias Pyysalo, M, UCF
Yoni Sorokin, M, UCF
Andreas Steineger, B, UCF
Abdou Mbacke Thiam, F, UConn
Jordan Cano, B, SMU
Bryce Clark, B, SMU
Emil Cuello, M, SMU
Nicky Hernandez, M, SMU
Michael Nelson, GK, SMU
Jared Rice, B, SMU
Most Outstanding Offensive Player
Emil Cuello, M, SMU
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Jordan Cano, B, SMU
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