Knights Score Four, Soar Over Temple 4-1Knights Score Four, Soar Over Temple 4-1

Knights Score Four, Soar Over Temple 4-1

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ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF men's soccer team moved to 2-0 in American Athletic Conference play as they powered their way to a 4-1 victory over Temple on the strength of three second-half goals.

"I think our attitude towards every moment of the game was important," said head coach Scott Calabrese. "They had us penned in for a little bit and we didn't get frustrated, we did the opposite. We just went to work. That for me is the foundation for a good performance, and then of course that led to us creating chances and being able to build out and score four goals. Another game where we have multiple goals is a really good sign."

The action got going early as Gino Vivi had ball at the top of the 18-yard box, trying to evade two defenders. Somehow, Vivi worked his way out of it and down the side of the 18 until he was at the end line. He then played a beautiful ball in front, practically teeing it up for Alessandro Campoy who had no problem burying the Knights' first goal in the 13th minute.

Friday's result marked the third consecutive match in which the Black and Gold scored within the first 15 minutes of the match. In those matches, the Knights have scored at least four goals.

Temple found an equalizer in the 38th minute as Mickael Borger and Chaim Roserie were able to split the Knight defense and slip Mike Eijgendaal one on one with the UCF goalkeeper Tyler Lavigne. Eijgendaal was able to finish, tucking it past Lavigne to even the score.

At the half, shot attempts were even 4-4 and corners were level at 2-2.

The Knights came out firing in the second half and got on the board just minutes in. Taylor drove down the wing and placed a perfect pass towards the goal mouth for Lucca Dourado who cashed in on the opportunity to put UCF back in front.

Taylor's assist gives him seven on the season, good enough to put him back in sole possession of the national lead in assists this season. After his three-assist performance at Memphis, Taylor had jumped into first place on the national leaderboard but saw a handful of other players tie him at the top.

Taylor's night wasn't finished though as he landed on the scoresheet yet again, but this time in the goal column. The SMU-transfer was able to collect the ball at the top of the 18, move to his right and scorch it in the bottom right corner. The goal was his first as a Knight and ninth of his career. Taylor now sits third on the team in points with a total of nine.

The final goal of the match was the first of the season for another night as Gianluca Arcangeli opened his scoring account for the 2021 campaign. Yanis Leerman corralled the ball at midfield and sent one down the side to Vivi, who took a few strides before feeding one in front for Arcangeli who sprinted to the spot and slid to tuck the ball home.

The Knights dominated the second half of play, earning an 11-2 advantage in shots on target, bringing their total edge to 15-6.

UCF entered the evening tied for fifth in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 2.83 goals per match. With another four goals in Friday's contest, the Knights now average three goals a match. Only two teams in college soccer, Clemson and Northern Illinois, average more than that, with both tied at the top of the national leaderboard with 3.25 goals scored per match.

The Black and Gold have now won five straight matches against Temple, outscoring them 16-1 over that span. In total, the Knights are 7-2-2 against Temple all-time.

UP NEXT
UCF will renew their rivalry with their foes to the west as they'll face South Florida in the first edition of this year's War On I-4 on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Tampa.

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