Men's Soccer to Open Sun Belt Slate at No. 22 Kentucky

ORLANDO – With six of its seven non-conference matchups complete, the UCF men’s soccer team is set to begin conference play on the road at No. 22 Kentucky Sept. 19.

The Knights commence their third season in the Sun Belt Conference on the heels of a win against the Jacksonville Dolphins at home Sept. 11. 

The Thursday night victory, spearheaded by freshman defender Jem Hewlett’s fine offensive efforts, was the Knights' second of the season and fifth consecutive win over the Dolphins. 

With two headers to give the Black and Gold a 2-0 win, the Bristol, England, native became the first non-forward Knight to score multiple goals in a match since Ariel Hadar on Sept. 29, 2021, versus USF.

The strong performance against the Dolphins also gave UCF its second win of the year while holding its opponent scoreless, matching the two shutout victories achieved all of last season.

Senior goalkeeper and team captain, Juanvi Muñoz, was once more fundamental in the win. With two saves, the Valencia, Spain native secured his second clean sheet of the season and ninth of his career, tying for ninth on the UCF all-time list with Antti Laitinen (1997-99).

Having lost to then-No. 21 James Madison in 2024, and tied then-No. 4 West Virginia in 2023, the Knights come into the Friday night matchup looking for their first conference play-opening victory in the Sun Belt.

UCF finished 5-4 in the Sun Belt in 2024, good for 15 points and its second straight top three conference finish after the squad earned a second-place finish in its debut season in the league in 2023.

Senior midfielder Clarence Awoudor, a key contributor in last year’s Sun Belt campaign, remains a key piece in the squad this year. The Knights’ No. 10 led the Sun Belt last fall in assists, tallying up five in nine conference games.

Besides the Saint-Lo, France native, the Knights have other returners on the squad looking to make an impact in conference play once more. Redshirt sophomore Drew Hansen appeared in all nine Sun Belt games last fall, while fifth-year transfer defender Alex Smith appeared in eight.

The third season in the highly competitive conference will bring new challenges to Calabrese’s squad, but nothing the Knights haven’t already experienced this season. Through its non-conference schedule, UCF has played four opponents that have appeared in the United Soccer Coaches top 25 poll at some point this season, three of them away from home.

“We’ve shown, we’ve watched it, we’ve seen it, how good of a team we can be,” Hewlett said on the Knights’ season so far. “That USF game was evident that we can play, and we are really good at times. Just taking that confidence, belief and courage to play, and being brave, that’s the key.”

The Wildcats hold a 6-5-2 lead over the Black and Gold in the all-time series, but the Knights carry a four-game win streak in the matchup dating back to 2011, with the most recent game being a 2-1 home comeback victory thanks to a Drew Hansen brace Oct. 23, 2024.

Last time out in Lexington, the Knights brought home all three points after a back-and-forth match at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex on Sept. 29, 2023. In front of over 2,000 fans in attendance, Saku Heiskanen scored the lone goal to give the Black and Gold a win that would later be fundamental for the first No. 1 ranking in a regular-season top 25 poll in UCF Athletics history that same season.

Kentucky (3-0-2) enters the 2025 Sun Belt opener with an undefeated record through its first five matches this season, with wins over then-No. 20 Western Michigan, Bellarmine and Detroit Mercy, and draws against UCLA and Bowling Green.

The Wildcats are led by senior midfielder Alex Ruiz. The Valencia, Spain native comes into the match with five goals in five games, good for the third-best goals-per-game average in the country.

Kickoff for the match is set for 7:30 p.m. from Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

TICKETS
UCF men’s soccer season and single-game tickets are on sale now. Please visit ucfknights.com/tickets for more information or call the ticket office at (407) 823-1000.

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UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community.