ORLANDO – The UCF men's soccer team checked in No. 23 in the latest edition of the United Soccer Coaches Poll, their first ranking of the 2022 season.
For the first time since the 2021 preseason poll, the Knights are ranked in the top 25 of the United Soccer Coaches Poll. The Knights were ranked 13th in the preseason poll last year before falling out in week two and ultimately finishing the year 9-8.
This year is different from last, as a squad of 13 returners and 15 newcomers have helped UCF to its best start since 2011, a year in which they won their first five matches. The Knights are 4-1 this season, with its lone loss coming at the hands of now No. 1 Wake Forest, a 1-0 result in favor of the Demon Deacons.
The Knights have been on a tear since after that match, beating North Florida 2-1, UC Riverside 3-0, UC Irvine 3-2 and Temple 4-0.
The Black and Gold have been scoring at one of the highest rates in the country, averaging 2.4 goals per game. That scoring clip has the Knights ranked 23rd in the country. They're ranked 33rd in the country in team goals against average, holding opponents to a 0.80 goals per game mark.
The Knights are currently the only team in Florida ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. They are the second highest ranked team in the American Athletic Conference, only behind Charlotte at No. 12. Conference members Tulsa and FIU are currently receiving votes.
UCF received votes two weeks ago, tallying six voting points before bursting into the top 25 with 25 voting points this week. In other polls the Knights have received votes for two straight weeks in College Soccer News' top 30.
UP NEXT
The Knights are back in action on the road against Memphis this weekend, with kickoff schedule for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Memphis checked in at No. 24 in TopDrawer Soccer's poll this week and is not ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
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