ORLANDO – On the heels of another standout season for the UCF men’s soccer team, forward Lucca Dourado has established himself as a national player to watch as the squad enters its first season in the Sun Belt.
Already named to the Sun Belt’s Preseason All-Conference Team Monday, Dourado was selected to the United Soccer Coaches Division I Forwards to Watch list, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon.
An American Athletic Conference All-Conference First Team selection a year ago, as well as a selection to the All-East Region Second Team, Dourado’s 11-goal season marked his second straight campaign with double-digit scores and at least 22 points following his four-goal debut season in 2020.
His 11 goals not only paced the Knights, but also ranked second-most in the conference and 12th in the nation. Dourado’s 0.85 goals per game represented the top mark in The American and the second-highest in the country as well, and he also converted two of his four penalty kick attempts.
Dourado was effective in generating offensive momentum throughout the season, recording 1.62 shots on goal per game, a mark that ranked second in the AAC, and his 3.23 shots per game were also good for second-most in the conference.
Following the team’s preseason finale at South Florida Thursday evening, Dourado and the UCF men’s soccer squad will open their debut season in the Sun Belt Aug. 24 on the road against the No. 9 Clemson Tigers. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start time from Historic Riggs Field in Clemson, South Carolina.