ORLANDO – The UCF men’s soccer team is set for its second Sun Belt Conference matchup against Georgia State Sunday evening, on the heels of its narrow 2-0 loss against the then-No. 21 James Madison Dukes Saturday, Sept. 21.
The match, originally scheduled for Friday, Sept. 27, was postponed to Sunday, Sept. 29 out of an abundance of caution for any residual effects from Hurricane Helene.
Freshman goalkeeper Shane Wright, making his fifth collegiate start Saturday evening against James Madison, was able to keep the Dukes off the scoreboard throughout the first 45 minutes of action. The Orlando native’s four saves represented his second-highest single-game total this season, following his season-high eight saves against the FIU Panthers Sept. 11.
Since his collegiate debut in UCF’s (2-2-3, 0-1-0 SBC) matchup with Wake Forest Aug. 31, Wright has played five games while making 19 total saves. The goalkeeper enters Sunday’s tilt with Georgia State ranking third in saves per game and seventh in total saves in the Sun Belt Conference.
James Madison managed to take the lead in the second half, scoring in the 46th and 61st minutes.
On the other end, sophomore Yanis Belatrache and junior Clarence Awoudor led the Knights’ offensive efforts, both recording three shot attempts throughout the game. Belatrache, Awoudor, and sophomore Joey Mueller notched UCF’s three shots on goal.
Awoudor leads the Black and Gold with nine points, five shots on goal, and three out of the team’s 13 goals across the season. The Saint-Lo, France, native ranks sixth in points per game, tied for sixth in total goals, and sixth in total points per game in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Black and Gold currently rank third in the conference in shots per game, fourth in saves per game and shots on goal per game, and fifth in points per game, total goals, and total points.
The Black and Gold are set to face the Georgia State Panthers (3-4-1, 0-1-0 SBC) in their second Sun Belt Conference matchup at home Sept. 27.
In their last matchup, the Knights prevailed 3-2 against the Panthers Oct. 27, 2023. This winning effort represented the sixth straight win for the Knights at the time, representing the team’s season-long win streak last season.
The Black and Gold, having already entered the evening riding their offensive high, had scored eight goals in their previous two matches. Awoudor scored in the 23rd minute, setting the Knights ahead. UCF continued to score in the second half, forward Emmanuel Bam netted UCF’s second goal of the evening in the 64th minute.
The game-winning goal was pocketed in the 65th minute of play, just 79 seconds later. The score was netted by then-fifth year senior Zane Bubb, marking his first collegiate game-winner.
Georgia State is entering Orlando following its 1-0 loss against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Sept. 21. The Panthers held Coastal Carolina off the scoreboard in the first half before giving up the first and only goal in the 66th minute. Goalkeeper Josh Hangi led Georgia State with three saves in the first 45 minutes of action before he was replaced for the final stanza. The Panthers totaled six shots in the loss, two of them on goal.
Georgia State midfielder Justin McLean leads the team with eight shots on goal, and three out of nine goals across the 2024 season. McLean ranks 10th in goals per game, and 11th in points per game in the Sun Belt Conference.
Goalkeeper Josh Hangi, meanwhile, enters Sunday’s action ranking first in saves per game and total saves in the Sun Belt Conference. In the 2024 season, Hangi has made 38 saves, including a single-game conference high of 12 saves against Lipscomb Sept. 5.
Knights and Panthers enter this matchup with a 2024 season Sun Belt record at 0-1-0. Both teams are looking to secure their first conference win.
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