CARY, N.C. – After turning a 1-3 start into a Sweet 16 appearance, the No. 18 UCF men's soccer team's season came to a close on Thursday afternoon with a 4-0 loss to No. 2 nationally seeded, third ranked Pitt in the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament.
"It was an incredible season for this team and our program," said head coach Scott Calabrese. "Our response to a very difficult start to turn around the season and go nine unbeaten is incredible. It shows how connected this group is. They've become an incredible team over this period of time and they absolutely love each other and work and fight for each other. As a result, here we are in the Sweet 16 and with two conference championships; just an incredible body of work this year from the group."
Pitt got on the board almost instantaneously as they capitalized on a turnover in the opening moments. Velijko Petkovic buried the ball just 23 seconds into the match for a 1-0 lead.
The Panthers added to the scoreboard in the 12th minute off a score from Alexander Dexter with a helper from Bertin Jacquesson. Pitt added a third goal before the break as Petkovic tallied another score at the 22-minute mark.
Despite being down on the scoreboard at the half, the Knights had an edge in just about every stat possible, leading the shot attempt total by a count of 9-3 and had a 2-0 advantage in corners.
UCF pushed hard for a goal in the opening stages of the second stanza but couldn't bury their chances. Pitt added their fourth and final goal of the match as Valentin Noel scored in the 65th minute. Shot attempts were even at 8-8 in the second stanza. UCF had fired off a total of 17 shot attempts and 10 shots on goal but ended up getting shut out for just the second time this season.
The Knights conclude the 2020-21 season with a record of 9-4-1. In a year with so many unknowns, UCF found themselves with a few question marks as well, having to fill the void of four talented starters from their 2019 starting lineup. After a 1-3 start, the Black and Gold found their footing and rode a nine-match unbeaten streak to their second straight Sweet 16 appearance. The Knights were winners of the regular season conference crown for the third consecutive season and got to hoist their first tournament trophy as part of The American.
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