ORLANDO – With the added emotions that accompany the program’s senior night celebration each year, the UCF men’s soccer team was in search of a strong performance that would live up to the sentiment produced by the pregame celebration.
A five-goal outburst more than sufficed.
“I was really happy we were able to honor the seniors the way that we did, the way that we played; it’s a great group,” said head coach Scott Calabrese. “Some have been here four years, some not quite as long, but they’re all an important part of our program, and it was great to have that kind of performance and response to the event tonight.”
After recognizing their 10-member senior class, the Black and Gold took the pitch and authored a dominant 5-1 victory over the visiting Bradley Braves at the UCF Soccer Complex Tuesday evening.
The contest, one that completed the team’s 2025 non-conference portion of opponents, saw the Knights record season highs in goals scored, shot attempts (27), and shots on goal (12), and the group matched its single-game season high in assists (5).
The quintet of Lilian Ricol, Clarence Awoudor, Drew Hansen, Younes Boudinar and Malick Thiaw each found the back of the net for UCF Tuesday, led by Awoudor’s four-point night and three from both Thiaw and Ricol.
Awoudor, who entered the evening as UCF’s points leader and the nation’s assist leader, strengthened his hold on both categories with his second career four-point evening, and first since exactly three years ago to the day when he was a member of the Oregon State Beavers against Portland Oct. 14, 2022.
“Clarence is getting better as the season goes on. It has to do with an abundance of confidence, as he should have, with the way he’s playing. He’s really important to us. He’s unselfish and is able to find players who are converting, but they’re also looking to provide him opportunities as well. It’s good to see that group develop and our attacking play develop the way it has.”
The Saint-Lo, France, native first aided Lilian Ricol’s game-opening score in just the seventh minute of action, along with an assist from Thiaw, before he then found the back of the net himself off Ricol’s free kick in the 33rd minute of play.
His third goal of the season also marked his first game-winner of the fall campaign and his fifth career game-winning goal, ensuring the midfielder at least one in each of his four collegiate seasons.
“I’m really happy, with it being senior night, it’s a great moment for everyone on the team,” Awoudor said. “Last year, Lucca (Dourado) scored a hat trick on senior night, so it’s always a great moment to end up with a win, and very important for us.”
The Braves managed a response in the 43rd minute, halving UCF’s two-goal lead, but redshirt sophomore Drew Hansen later capitalized on a Bradley mistake in the final minute of the opening half to tally his first goal of the season and fourth of his collegiate career.
UCF would score twice more in the final 45 minutes, first with Boudinar’s first career Division I goal in the 53rd minute and later Thiaw’s third score of the season, matching his 2024 season total with Virginia Tech.
“When we are unselfish and we think ahead, move the ball quickly and come up as a group, we can be really effective in creating chances,” Calabrese added. “I think we could have had a few more, but we’re obviously really happy we’re continuing to get better. This is another step in the right direction.”
With just one goal allowed on the other end, senior goalkeeper Juanvi Muñoz also notched his seventh match out of his first 11 this fall with one or fewer goals allowed, and saw his goals-against average dip even further to 1.18 with his fifth win of the year.
UP NEXT
The Knights resume Sun Belt Conference play on the road with a Saturday matchup against Old Dominion in Norfolk, Virginia. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from ODU Soccer Stadium 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 with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.