ORLANDO – The UCF men’s soccer team is set for its fifth Sun Belt matchup this season, welcoming the Old Dominion Monarchs to Orlando following the Knights’ 2-0 loss to then-No. 6 Marshall Oct. 13 in the program’s second of two space games this year.
UCF’s most recent contest marked its fourth faceoff against a ranked team this season, as well as its highest-ranked opponent since the team met the then-No. 4 West Virginia Mountaineers Sept. 15, 2023.
The Knights recently welcomed back junior goalkeeper Juanvi Muñoz and fifth year senior forward Lucca Dourado, key members of the squad’s lineup who had been out of action since Aug. 25 and Aug. 31, respectively, as they recovered from injuries. Both made their return to the pitch for UCF’s (3-4-3, 1-3-0 SBC) Sunday tilt with the sixth-ranked Herd.
Dourado paced the squad offensively, providing a team high three shot attempts on recording one of the team’s three shots on goal. Muñoz, who was back in net for the first time since the 1-1 draw with then-No. 23 Seattle Aug. 25, made one save as well.
The Thundering Herd, the reigning 2023 Sun Belt regular-season and tournament champions, were quick to earn a 1-0 advantage just 75 seconds into the game, before later doubling their lead in the 24th minute. Although the Knights were not able to mount a comeback, the team managed to shut Marshall out throughout the final 66:57 of gametime, only allowing three shot attempts in the second half.
UCF now looks to bounce back against Old Dominion (4-5-2, 0-3-1 SBC) in the fifth meeting between the two programs in either’s history, with the Knights trying to break a 2-2-0 tie in the all-time series.
In their last matchup, the Knights prevailed 2-1 against the Monarchs Oct. 14, 2023. The winning effort clinched UCF’s second three-game win streak of the 2023 fall slate, after the Black and Gold emerged victorious in each of their first three matches of the season against then-No. 9 Clemson, Stetson and NC State Aug. 24–Sept. 1.
Dourado broke the ice in the 12th minute with his seventh goal of the year on his second converted penalty kick. Then-senior defender Raphael Crivello, playing in his first match since UCF’s 2-0 win over Brown Sept. 9 as he nursed an injury, drew a penalty in the box to set Dourado up to give the Knights an early 1-0 lead. The Monarchs later tied the game in the 70th minute.
UCF took back the lead in the 82nd minute, another goal by Dourado. This also marked Dourado’s fourth goal in two consecutive matches, giving the then-senior back-to-back braces. With his second straight four-point night, his career point total of then-75 also rocketed the forward past Mark Lamb (1984-87) for sole possession of eighth place on the UCF all-time points list, and he enters Friday’s action in fifth place on the all-time goals scored list with 38 in his career.
Old Dominion comes to Orlando after being shut out in both of its last two matches against Kentucky and Georgia State, allowing just one goal defensively in that span.
Old Dominion goalkeeper Michael Statham enters Friday’s match second in total saves (40) and saves per game (3.64) and tied for third in shutouts (4) in the Sun Belt Conference.
Junior forward Michael Eberle ranks tied for fourth in the league in game-winning goals with two, to factor into his overall total of three scores this fall, while senior forward Key White also ranks tied for third in assists with four.
Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m. from the UCF Soccer Complex Friday, Oct. 18, and will be streamed on ESPN+
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