ORLANDO, Fla. – Prior to his fifth year with the UCF men's soccer team, goalkeeper Yannik Oettl has signed a professional contract with the New England Revolution II of USL League One.
"It feels good to take the next step," said Oettl. "I'm ready to showcase myself on the next level. I want to keep improving on a personal and professional level."
Oettl, a three-time American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, was a three-time conference champion with the Knights, leading the Black and Gold to three straight regular season titles as well as it's first conference tournament championship during the 2020-21 campaign. He assisted in the game-winning goal in the 2019 NCAA Tournament Second Round, sending the Knights to their first Sweet 16 in program history. UCF reached the Sweet 16 again during the 2020-21 season under his captaincy, along with Mauricio Villalobos Vega.
"Yannik impacted our program in an incredible way," said Head Coach Scott Calabrese. "He was a leader on and off the field, an incredible teammate, and a exceptionally talented and dedicated player who was instrumental in elevating the program. We will miss him, but we are so excited for the opportunity he has ahead and we will be his biggest supporters! Once a Knight, Always a Knight!"
The All-East Region goalkeeper has been nothing short of a brick wall in his four seasons with the Knights. Oettl collected 38 victories during his time wearing the Black and Gold, stopping 220 shots with a goals allowed average of 1.03, the third best mark in program history. Oettl finished fifth all-time in saves at UCF and fourth in shutouts with a whopping 18. Despite a shorter than normal season, Oettl was able to post just as many clean sheets as his 2019 total of six.
Oettl was ranked near the tops of the NCAA all season long in nearly every major category. His six shutouts put him in a tie for sixth place nationally. He finished the season ranked 12th in the country with an .848 save percentage and 15th in saves per game with a 4.67 mark.
"UCF means family to me," said Oettl." The people here helped me in incredible ways to grow as a person. Leaving this environment wasn't an easy decision, but the friends I've made, people I met and experience I gained throughout my four years here will help me through my life. Thank you UCFamily, Charge On!"
Oettl is the first UCF goalkeeper to make it to the pros since Sean Johnson (2007-08) who is still putting together an impressive MLS career and is currently a member of the US Gold Cup roster.
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