Written by Alessandro Hurtado.
The men’s soccer team started their season off in dominant fashion by smashing 4 goals past the University of Texas Rio Grande Vaqueros.
A long ball from Senior keeper Juanvi Muñoz led to a beautiful chip goal from senior forward Malick Thiaw in the 14th minute, starting the Knight party after what looked to be a barrage of high pressure from UTRGV at the start of the game.
The Knights took control of the position and rhythm of gameplay of the first half, capitalizing with quick plays and clinical through passes, ending up in 3 more goals for the Knights, all while also shutting out UTRGV in the first half.
Half time came with a 4-0 lead for the UCF Knights.
Senior Claudel N’goubou and freshman forward Seiryu Ono joined Thiaw in scoring their first goal of the season last night, while Junior Lilian Ricol bagged his second goal of the season.
The Knights opened the second half with the same pace as seen throughout the first half in search for the fifth goal. They had their golden opportunity in the 56th minute when awarded a penalty, but Clarence Awoudor’s strike was stopped by UTRGV goalkeeper Alexis Gonzales.
The Knights managed to keep the game a total shut out, highlighted by freshman defender Jem Hewlett’s slide goal-line save.
UCF will face the No. 23 University of North Carolina Greensboro Sunday at 7:00pm at the UCF Soccer Complex.
