They’ve defeated #17 Memphis and drew #1 SMU and now the Golden Knights head to South Carolina to take on the 16th-ranked Gamecocks in a Conference USA match.
UCF is still fighting for a spot in the C-USA tournament, the top eight teams qualify and the Knights sit in 8th place right now. For more preview on the game, read on:
After enjoying success against ranked teams in the past two weeks, the UCF men’s soccer team is aiming for another positive result when it travels to No. 16 South Carolina for a 7 p.m. Conference USA match on Saturday, Oct. 21.
The Golden Knights (3-7-2, 1-2-2 C-USA) have compiled a 1-1-1 mark against ranked teams since defeating then No. 17 Memphis, 1-0, on Oct. 4. They also earned ties with top-ranked SMU and UAB, a team that has been in and out of the top 25 all season.
After earning the 2-2 tie with the Mustangs, the players UCF enjoyed a week of rest and watched as the league standings became even tighter. The Golden Knights currently sit in eighth place with five points, but only four points separate UCF from No. 3 Tulsa. The top eight teams participate in the 2006 C-USA Championship, which takes place in Tulsa, Okla. from Nov. 1-5.
“The league is just so tight right now,” said UCF head coach Brent Erwin. “Every game counts because every point matters. It’s exciting for our team because every game is relevant.”
South Carolina enters Saturday’s match with a 10-3-1 overall record and a 3-2-1 mark in conference play after playing SMU to a 1-1 double overtime tie on Wednesday night. The Gamecocks’ defense is stingy, allowing opponents only a goal a game, while senior Mike Sambursky is ranked third among C-USA players with 18 points on five goals and eight assists.
“We’re looking forward to a great game. South Carolina provides a fantastic environment for soccer,” said Erwin of a team that boasts a league-leading 1,200 fans per home contest. “Our players are well rested and gained a lot of confidence from the tie with SMU. They are going to go out there and give their best effort. They really relish the challenge.”
Saturday marks the sixth meeting between UCF and South Carolina. The Gamecocks own a 3-1-1 series lead, including a 4-1 victory over the Golden Knights in 2005.
Following this weekend, UCF plays host to Florida International on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. and Stetson on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. The Golden Knights have also rescheduled their match against Marshall for Monday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. in Tulsa, Okla. prior to the tournament.
Admission to home UCF men’s soccer matches for the 2006 season is free courtesy of McDonald’s. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com – the official site for UCF athletics.