UCF Knights men's soccer
The UCF Knights men's soccer program represents the University of Central Florida in National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I. The Knights compete in the American Athletic Conference (The American) and play their home games on UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida at the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium.[2] The Knights are currently led by head coach Scott Calabrese.[3]
| UCF Knights men's soccer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 2019 UCF Knights men's soccer team | |||
 | |||
| Founded | 1975 | ||
| University | University of Central Florida | ||
| Head coach | Scott Calabrese (3rd season) | ||
| Conference | The American | ||
| Location | Orlando, FL | ||
| Stadium | UCF Soccer and Track Stadium (Capacity: 2,000) | ||
| Nickname | UCF Knights | ||
| Colors | Black and Gold[1] | ||
| |||
| NCAA Tournament Round of 16 | |||
| 2019 | |||
| NCAA Tournament Round of 32 | |||
| 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2019 | |||
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |||
| 1982, 1983, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2019 | |||
| Conference Tournament championships | |||
| 1979, 1980, 1981, 2002, 2003, 2004 | |||
| Conference Regular Season championships | |||
| 2003, 2004, 2018, 2019 | |||
History
The Knights soccer program began in 1975 under Jim Rudy. The Knights went 10–4–1 that year, defeating St. Leo in their first match 8–0.[4] In 1984, the team made the move to Division I. The Knights were nationally ranked for the first time during the 2010 season, and rose to a program high of No. 8 during the 2011 season.[4][5][6]
The Knights have an all-time record of 332–259–51 (86–71–17).[4]
Stadium
The Knights play their home games at the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium which is a part of Knights Plaza, located on the north end of UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida. The soccer field is made of natural grass and measures 347 feet (106 m) x 200 feet (61 m).[7]
In 2011, the stadium was heavily renovated, boasting a 2,000 seat capacity with a new 1,475-seat stand, press box, 7,500 square feet (700 m2) clubhouse, restrooms and new entrance on the west side of the facility. The original 500-seat stand was retained as a visitors' stand.[8]
Roster
- As of November 17, 2020[9]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Coaches
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seasons
| Season | Coach | Record | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Conference | ||||
| 1975 | Jim Rudy | 10–4–1 | — | ||
| 1976 | 15–1–1 | — | |||
| 1977 | Jim Rudy | 11–4–0 | 4–0–0 | ||
| 1978 | 4–8–0 | 1–2–0 | |||
| 1979 | 8–7–0 | 3–1–0 | Sunshine State Tournament Champions | ||
| 1980 | 12–3–1 | 3–0–0 | Sunshine State Tournament Champions | ||
| 1981 | 10–3–1 | 3–1–1 | Sunshine State Tournament Champions | ||
| 1982 | 10–4–2 | 4–3–0 | NCAA Division II Tournament | ||
| 1983 | 12–4–3 | 4–2–0 | NCAA Division II Tournament | ||
| 1984 | Jim Rudy | 8–5–3 | — | ||
| 1985 | 10–2–3 | — | |||
| 1986 | 9–5–1 | — | |||
| 1987 | 10–8–0 | — | |||
| 1988 | 10–4–1 | — | |||
| 1989 | Bill Barker | 6–10–2 | — | ||
| 1990 | 8–10–0 | — | |||
| 1991 | 5–13–0 | — | |||
| 1992 | 8–6–2 | — | |||
| 1993 | Bob Winch | 4–10–1 | 3–4–0 | ||
| 1994 | 9–10–2 | 2–3–1 | |||
| 1995 | 5–11–1 | 2–3–1 | |||
| 1996 | 10–7–1 | 4–2–0 | TAAC East Division Champions | ||
| 1997 | 12–6–0 | 3–5–0 | |||
| 1998 | 13–7–0 | 6–1–0 | |||
| 1999 | 12–7–0 | 3–3–0 | |||
| 2000 | 2–14–3 | 1–4–1 | |||
| 2001 | 12–7–0 | 4–3–0 | |||
| 2002 | 10–8–3 | 5–2–1 | Atlantic Sun Tournament Champions; NCAA First round | ||
| 2003 | 12–6–3 | 6–2–1 | Atlantic Sun Regular Season and Tournament Champions; NCAA Second round | ||
| 2004 | 11–7–2 | 7–2–0 | Atlantic Sun Regular Season and Tournament Champions; NCAA Second round | ||
| 2005 | Brent Erwin | 7–8–1 | 2–6–1 | ||
| 2006 | 6–9–2 | 3–3–2 | |||
| 2007 | Bryan Cunningham | 4–12–2 | 0–6–2 | ||
| 2008 | 7–11–1 | 3–4–1 | |||
| 2009 | 6–7–3 | 2–5–1 | |||
| 2010 | 12–5–3 | 4–1–3 | NCAA Second round | ||
| 2011 | 12–6–3 | 4–3–1 | NCAA Second round | ||
| 2012 | 8–7–3 | 5–3–0 | |||
| 2013 | Bryan Cunningham | 8–5–5 | 4–1–3 | ||
| 2014 | Bryan Cunningham | 2–10–6 | 1–3–4 | ||
| 2015 | Bryan Cunningham | 7–8–2 | 3–4–1 | ||
| 2016 | Bryan Cunningham | 5–11–0 | 5–3–0 | ||
| 2017 | Scott Calabrese | 8–6–2 | 4–2–1 | ||
| 2018 | Scott Calabrese | 13–3–3 | 5–1–1 | American Regular Season Champions; NCAA Second round | |
| 2019 | Scott Calabrese | 15–3–2 | 6–0–1 | American Regular Season Champions; NCAA Third round | |
| Totals | 356–277–61 | 99–77–21 | 660 games (.557) | ||
| Records are through the conclusion of the 2013 NCAA Season. | |||||
Alumni
UCF has produced a number of notable soccer stars. Most notably, Eric Vasquez, Sean Johnson and Ryan McIntosh.[10] Vasquez, who made his professional soccer debut with the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, later played for Miami FC in the United Soccer Leagues' First Division and the Orlando Sharks of the Major Indoor Soccer League before retiring due to injury.[11] Former Knights Goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh initially played with D.C. United, and after a year with the D.C. United Reserve team, McIntosh signed with the Atlanta Silverbacks of USL Division One, where he led the team to the league final.[12][13][14] Both players were a part of the 2004 Central Florida Kraze amateur soccer team that won the Premier Development League's championship by defeating the Boulder Rapids Resevers, 1-0 at the UCF soccer stadium.[15] In 2019, two of players got selected in the MLS SuperDraft that took place in Chicago.Striker Cal Jennings was picked number 15th in the first round by the FC Dallas and Defender Jonathan Dean got selected 32nd in the second round of the draft by Orlando City Soccer Club.
Sean Johnson, another former UCF goalkeeper, joined the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer in 2010.[16] He was a member of the United States U-20 men's national soccer team which qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.[10]
2019 Run NCAA Tournament
In the 2019, tournament Bracket the knights were the 9th seed and got the privilege to get a bye for the first round and to host the second round. It was the highest seed the UCF men soccer team registered in their history. The Knights were going to face the winner of Denver/Missouri state. Missouri state found their way to the UCF Soccer Complex. On November 24th the number 9th seeded UCF faced the number 12th seeded Missouri State. That game ended on a victory 2-1 of UCF in overtime. Which leaded the Knights to a first participation of the program in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. The number 9th seeded UCF were going to play the number 8th seeded SMU at SMU's stadium. However, SMU grabbed the overtime win against UCF which ended the run of UCF in the tournament.
References
- "Colors | University of Central Florida Brand Guide". Retrieved August 4, 2018.
- McMurphy, Brett. "Old Big East now American Athletic". ESPN. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
- UCF Knights – Official Athletics Site – Men's Soccer Roster. Ucfathletics.com. Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- 2011 UCF Men's Soccer Yearbook. Issuu.com (September 14, 2011). Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- No. 8 UCF's Historic Unbeaten Streak Halted. Ucfathletics.com (September 24, 2011). Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- "UCF in the midst of its best sports year ever". Orlando Sentinel. December 27, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- UCF Soccer and Track Stadium. Ucfathletics.cstv.com. Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- UCF to Open New Stadium With Thursday's Twilight Meet. Ucfathletics.cstv.com (May 3, 2011). Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- "2020 Men's Soccer Roster". ucfknights.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- Salvas, Pat (January 25, 2011). "Former UCF Goalkeeper Sean Johnson Makes Debut with U.S. Men's National Team". UCFAthletics.com. Orlando, Florida: University of Central Florida. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- UCF Athletics Player Bio: Eric Vasquez. Ucfathletics.com (November 18, 1982). Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- Ryan McIntosh. D.C.United (March 28, 2006). Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- Silverbacks Edge Out Charlotte In 1-0 Win. Atlantasilverbacks.com (June 26, 2007). Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- Sounders Win Championship Rematch. Soccernet.espn.go.com (May 5, 2008). Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- Central Florida Wins 2004 PDL Title. Pdl.uslsoccer.com (August 7, 2004). Retrieved on November 16, 2011.
- 2010 MLS SuperDraft Archived January 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to University of Central Florida. |
