ORLANDO – As the 2026 regular season continues into its final full month, the UCF men’s soccer team is set to honor its seven-member senior class in a Saturday pregame Senior Night ceremony prior to its next matchup against the Old Dominion Monarchs.
Ahead of the evening’s opening kick, each of Joey Mueller, Timo Habock, Gabi Velez, Christian Hatley, Hugo Vien, Kenn Muendo and Takahiro Fujita will be recognized for their contributions to the program in a brief ceremony.
The Knights, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a narrow 2-1 loss to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in their most recent action on the road in Conway, South Carolina, Oct. 9.
The Knights battled with Coastal Carolina for the first 37 minutes before the Chanticleers went on the board. They then extended their lead within the opening minute of the second half.
Redshirt junior forward Drew Hansen found the back of the net in the 77th minute to trim the Chants’ lead, scoring his fifth goal of the season and first career penalty kick goal.
With his latest score, Hansen ranks among Sun Belt Conference leaders in game-winning goals (3), goals per game (5), points per game (7), total goals (5), and total points (7).
The Black and Gold were unable to level the score despite outshooting the Chanticleers 14-3, to record the fifth match of the season that UCF ended with the lead in shotattempts.
The Knights have allowed two or fewer goals in all but one game, their matchup with then-No. 18 Clemson, now the No. 4 team in the nation in the latest United Soccer Coaches top 25 poll. The last time UCF yielded nine or fewer total goals through the first 11 matches of a season was in 2010, when the squad allowed seven.
UCF also leads the conference in shutout percentage (.545) with Matisse Hébert leading the Sun Belt and ranking fourth nationally with six shutouts.
When the team meets the Monarchs on Saturday, they will be facing a conference leader in offensive production, as Old Dominion leads the Sun Belt in goals per game (2.92),total goals (35), and total points (97). Old Dominion also ranks among national leaders in total goals (4th), total points (7th), and goals per game (5th).
The Monarchs’ season has been highlighted by their 2-1 win over then-No. 15 West Virginia on their home pitch in Norfolk, Virginia. Old Dominion also put up a tough battle against then-No. 4 South Carolina, falling by a slim 2-1 final score.
The Monarchs this season were ranked as high as No. 13 in the nation in week four by the United Soccer Coaches top 25 poll, and are off to a 9-3 start through 12 matches, including a 1-3 mark in conference play through its first four Sun Belt matchups.
Old Dominion is led offensively by senior Lewis Rourke, who paces the squad with seven goals, 1.70 points per game and 1.50 shots on goal per game. Following alongside is senior forward Jason Purks, who has accrued six goals and three assists so far.
The Monarchs turned to a freshman for the entire load thus far between the goalposts, as first-year goalkeeper Alexander Aguilar has started all 12 of Old Dominion’s matches, recording 1.50 goals-against average, 36 saves and a .667 save percentage.
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.