Knights have won five straight matches
By Official Florida FC
UCF was named the No. 1 team in the country in the United Soccer Coaches poll released on Oct. 24.
The Knights (9-1-2) have won five in a row in one of the toughest conferences in the country. UCF is atop the Sun Belt Conference with a 5-1-1 record.
The most recent win was a 3-2 triumph over South Carolina in Columbia on Oct. 22. UCF took a three-goal lead, but in a 90-second stretch conceded a goal and witnessed keeper Juanvi Munoz get sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
The Knights played with 10 for the final 15 minutes, but found a way to win in front 3,806 people at Stone Stadium.
“The team had to refocus and absorb a lot of pressure,” UCF head coach Scott Calabrese said afterward. “It’s another example of a difficult test for the players, and again they showed a lot of character to get the result.”
This is the first time that any team sport at UCF has been ranked No. 1 in the country.
UCF is 2-1-1 against teams in this week’s Top 25. The Knights drew current No. 2 West Virginia 2-2 on Sept. 15 in Orlando. UCF has defeated No. 10 Clemson and No. 24 FIU this season.
The Knights travel to Georgia State (5-5-5, 2-3-2) on Friday and conclude the regular season at home against James Madison (6-3-5, 2-2-3) on Halloween. Two victories would clinch the regular season SBC title and home-field advantage in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament that kicks off Nov. 5.
