ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – In a thrilling Sunday matinee with No. 17 Virginia Tech, the Knights tied the Hokies, 2-2 at the UCF Soccer Complex.
Seniors Walker Dawkins and Jonathan Dean stepped up for the Knights each netting a goal in under two minutes of one another.
UCF (2-1-1) went down 2-0 quickly in the first half, but the remainder of the game belonged to the Knights after scoring back-to-back goals to tie it up.
The Black and Gold dominated the ball on offense holding the advantage over Virginia Tech in shots (23-9) and shots on goal (13-5). The Knights were also able to draw nine fouls and take four corners in the draw.
Yannik Oettl made his fourth straight start in goal tallying three saves after facing five shots on goal.
SCORING
VT | 24:08 |The Hokies were awarded a penalty kick after a foul occurred inside the 18-yard box. David Sanz took the PK, which was saved by Oettl but Sanz grabbed the rebound and converted the first goal of the match.
VT | 26:57 | After a shot was blocked by a UCF defender, Kristo Strickler followed through to place the ball in the bottom right corner of the net to go up, 2-0.
UCF | 63:01 | Jennings delivered a cross from the right side of the pitch to Dawkins who finished the play with a laser to the bottom left corner.
UCF | 64:40 | Dean tied the match after sending a screamer from just inside the 18-yard box in the upper left corner to make it 2-2.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The Knights were one shot shy of their season high after registering 23 shots on Sunday.
- UCF is now averaging just over 20 shots per game.
- Eight different Knights had a shot on goal with Jennings pacing the team with three.
- With 13 shots on goal, a new season high for UCF, 45.7 percent of the Knights shots are on target this season.
- The Knights are now 1-2-2 in the overall series with Virginia Tech.
COMMENTS FROM COACH CALABRESE
“The response from the players at halftime after going down two goals in the first half was exceptional. We got the two goals back and kept going and that was great to see. They showed resilience, a great mentality and work rate, and competitiveness that was needed. When you go down two goals in a soccer game, you really have to claw your way back. I am happy we got this result given how the game went.”
UP NEXT
The final game of the homestand will take place Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. as the Knights host West Virginia at the UCF Soccer Complex.
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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