BOCA RATON, Fla. – The UCF men’s soccer team managed to generate a handful of late opportunities on the offensive end of the pitch, but the squad settled for a 0-0 draw on the road against the Florida Atlantic Owls Sunday evening.
The result, while not a victorious one, ensures UCF returns home for its third match of the new season still unbeaten at 1-0-1 through two contests, and represents another strong showing for the Knights’ defensive efforts.
With back-to-back clean sheets authored by the squad to start the season, UCF has now blanked its opposition in its first two matches of a campaign for the first time since 2010, when the Black and Gold bested Jacksonville 5-0 Sept.1 and Florida Atlantic 4-0 Sept. 6.
Junior transfer goalkeeper Matisse Hébert, after being credited with a shutout in his UCF debut against Boston U. Thursday evening without an official save, jumped on the scoresheet Sunday with three denials of the Owls, including one in a crucial sequence in the final minute of action to secure his second clean sheet in as many contests with the Knights this fall.
With two clean sheets to begin the season, UCF represents one of just seven Division I programs to not yield a goal through their first two games this fall following the conclusion of play Sunday evening, joining Florida Atlantic, Delaware, Duquesne, FDU, Saint Peter's and Wisconsin.
The Knights also limited their opposition to fewer than 10 total shot attempts for the second straight contest to start the season, representing the first time the Black and Gold have done so since the 2023 slate saw then-No. 9 Clemson and Stetson muster just seven and nine total tries, respectively, to begin the year.
Hébert, meanwhile, saw his save rate jump to 1.000 on the season with his first three saves of the year and his career goals-against average dip even further to 1.12 with his 12th career shutout and second of the year.
His first stop came in the 20th minute of the evening’s affairs, and he later added his second in the 39th minute, just before inclement weather caused nearly an hour-long lightning delay prior to the first half’s conclusion.
Matisse's first two saves as a Knight!
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) August 23, 2026
We're in a lightning delay in Boca Raton with just over seven minutes to play in the first half. pic.twitter.com/z8v6iZYMtN
The goalkeeper midway through the second half was aided by Knights standout defender Takahiro Fujita, who on Thursday netted his first career game-winning goal against Boston U.
As the Owls drove through to their offensive end, a Florida Atlantic attacker provided an accurate crossing pass to a teammate from the far to the near side of the 18-yard box.
With Hébert still near the far side of the goalmouth, Fujita was positioned perfectly in front of his goalkeeper closer to the near side and provided a probable game-saving blocked shot attempt from getting through.
HUGE blocked shot by Taka in the box to help keep FAU scoreless 👊 pic.twitter.com/wVJBHYnWXc
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) August 24, 2026
Hébert once again later came through for his squad in the game’s final minute, first punching away a long Owls serve from near midfield before recording his third official save from near-point-blank range on the far side of the goalmouth.
Offensively, the Knights recorded seven total shot attempts and three on goal, all of which were stopped by Florida Atlantic goalkeeper Alfred Mikkelsen. UCF also saw its corner total of six double the Owls’ three, but failed to find the back of the net.
UP NEXT
The Knights look to return to the win column at home Friday evening, when UCF will face off against a second consecutive in-state rival in the South Florida Bulls. Opening kick is set for 7 p.m. from the UCF Soccer Complex and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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 website at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.