UCF Press Release

November 19, 2002

ORLANDO – The UCF men’s soccer team will head to Miami to play familiar foe Florida International in the first round of the 2002 NCAA Championships. The Golden Knights gathered at Froggers in Oviedo at 4:30 on Monday afternoon to watch ESPNEWS, which announced the NCAA’s selections at 4:40 p.m.

After the entire bracket was named the players reacted to the announcement. “I like our chances,” said senior tri-captain Brad Wagner. “They know us; we know them. There is nothing to be surprised about since we played two weeks ago.”

UCF (10-7-3) and the Golden Panthers (12-5-1) met on Nov. 10 with FIU taking a 3-2 win in Orlando. After being down 3-0 at the half, the Golden Knights scored two unanswered goals in the second 45 minutes of the game – an effort Wagner said helped the team as it headed into the A-Sun tournament just five days later.

“I think that second half against FIU gave us that spark. That might have been what pulled us through to win the conference tournament,” he said.

The Golden Knights, who are making their first trip to the NCAA tournament in program history, earned the Atlantic Sun’s automatic bid when it defeated Stetson 1-0 in the conference championship on Sunday afternoon in Boca Raton.

Of course, having only played FIU just over a week ago allows UCF to gaze into a crystal ball of sorts.

“Now we know what is in front of us,” said goalkeeper and tri-captain Ryan McIntosh. “We’re a little bit more prepared and we know what’s coming. We’re just going to have to come out and play better than we have ever played before.”

“There is just so much excitement right now. It’s the first time for the school,” added Wagner. “You never know what can happen come play off time. It’s a whole different ball game.”

The team will leave campus at 1 p.m. on Thursday for the Friday match. Time of kickoff was yet to be determined. The winner will travel to Dallas, Tex. To play Southern Methodist (15-2-3) on Nov. 27.

   
 

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