MIAMI, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The Knights’ offense was in full throttle Tuesday night at the FIU Soccer Complex picking up a 3-1 road win in Miami against the Panthers.
Cal Jennings showed up to work again netting two more goals and an assist as he continues to prove to be one of the best forwards in collegiate soccer.
Senior Zachary Waitman scored his first goal of the season when he left his feet to head in the ball after a deflection off the FIU keeper.
UCF (4-1-1) picked up 10 points in the win after collecting three goals and four assists to FIU’s (1-4) three. The Knights now have 36 total points on the season.
The Black and Gold held the advantage in total shots (17-12), while Yannik Oettl recorded three saves in his sixth straight start to the season. Oettl is also 4-1-1 during the 2018 campaign and picked up his first career assist in the victory.
SCORING
- UCF | 4:19 | Jennings took a shot from the 18-yard box but was saved by the FIU keeper. The keeper couldn’t control Jennings’ laser and Waitman went flying through the air and headed in his first goal of the season.
- FIU | 23:33 | Oettl saved the initial shot from FIU, but the Panthers grabbed the rebound to tie the match.
- UCF | 61:01 | Yoni Sorokin posted a quick ball to Jonathan Dean who went racing down the right side of the field sending a perfect ball near post to Jennings who blasted it into the net for his fifth goal of the season.
- UCF | 85:06 | Oettl sent a goal kick in Jennings’ direction three quarters of the way down the field and after two quick bounces, Jennings had a one touch to seal the deal for the Knights.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Head Coach Scott Calabrese picked up his 97th win against his former team. This was the 13th victory over FIU for UCF.
- With the win, the Knights are now alone in first place in the American Athletic Conference.
- Jennings tallied six shots in the first half and finished with eight, three of which were on target.
- With the two goals and an assist, Jennings now has 14 points in the Knights’ six games, which ranks among the top 10 in the nation.
- UCF is unbeaten in their last four games and 2-0 on the road this season.
- The Knights are outscoring their opponents 12-6 after six games and are outshooting opponents, 116-48.
- The Black and Gold lead The American in scoring with 36 points, 13 clear of the next best AAC offense.
COMMENTS FROM THE MATCH
“Getting my first goal of the season felt amazing, but it was all because of how hard this team worked. It’s especially good to get a road win against a tough program and something that will keep us rolling.” – Waitman
“The team showed a lot of resilience tonight and kept fighting. Eventually the chances turned into goals.” – Jennings
UP NEXT
The road trip continues for the Knights as they make a short trip to Stetson this Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2018 campaign are on sale now. Fans looking to purchase tickets can call (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFKnights.com to secure them today. For men's soccer tickets CLICK HERE.
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