LEXINGTON, Ky. – The UCF men’s soccer team fell in its Sun Belt Conference opener to the No. 22 Kentucky Wildcats, 3-2, at Bell Soccer Complex Friday evening.
The two squads battled through a scoreless first half before a prolific second period that saw the five combined goals between the Knights (2-4-1, 0-1-0 SBC) and Wildcats (4-0-2, 1-0-0 SBC), including scores from Lilian Ricol and Claudel N’goubou for the Black and Gold.
Ricol’s score in the 59th minute, his third as a Knight, lifted him into the team lead in the category, while senior midfielder Clarence Awoudor tallied his fifth assist of the season on the play to clinch his fifth consecutive match with at least one point.
N’goubou’s goal came with just under six minutes to play in the match in response to a pair of Wildcat scores, and the senior Limestone transfer joined Jem Hewlett, Awoudor and Ricol as the fourth Knight to net multiple goals thus far.
Senior goalkeeper Juanvi Muñoz made a quartet of saves throughout the evening as well, including three during the second half, to record his second match this season with at least four stops, joining his five-save performance in UCF’s 2-1 loss at then-No. 6 Wake Forest Aug. 24.
UP NEXT
UCF will look to earn its first points of Sun Belt Conference play at home Sept. 28, when the Knights welcome the No. 13 West Virginia Mountaineers to Orlando. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from the UCF Soccer Complex 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.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
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.