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The #7 UCF Knights Men’s Soccer program hosted the American Men’s Soccer Championship for the first time in program history after winning the regular season championship. The Knights would get a bye into semifinal where they would host the 4th-seeded UConn Huskies.
UCF dug themselves a 2-0 at halftime. But they would respond quickly early in the second half as Yoni Sorokin scored in the 49th minute to get the Knights on the board.
49' | GOAL!!! @UCF_MSoccer finds an answer early in the second half on Yoni Sorokin's header from Cal Jennings!
— American MSoccer (@American_MSoc) November 9, 2018
UConn leads 2-1 | #AmericanMSoc Championship | Semifinal
➡https://t.co/uFQ3jCzm3O
➡https://t.co/4slmXRCblZ pic.twitter.com/pTrtBYReDr
The Knights would continue the pressure until, with 8 minutes left in regulation, All-American Cal Jennings would tie it up at 2.
80' | GOAL!!! @UCF_MSoccer finds the equalizer to tie it at 2-2! Offensive Player of the Year Cal Jennings receives the ball in the box, turns and blasts it past the GK for his 20th goal of the season! #AmericanMSoc Championship | Semifinal
— American MSoccer (@American_MSoc) November 9, 2018
➡https://t.co/uFQ3jCzm3O pic.twitter.com/ALUEILBBj6
The match would go into overtime and than into double overtime before Max Stiegwardt netted the game-winning goal, and his first of the season, in the 110th minute off a free kick to propel the Knights to victory.
SEE YOU SATURDAY‼️
— UCF Knights (@UCFKnights) November 9, 2018
WOW! This @UCF_MSoccer 2OT game-winner
@American_MSoc pic.twitter.com/0tunB7RCfZ
UCF’s win was the 13th of the season, which would be the most wins UCF have had since 1998. Stiegwardt would talk about his magical goal and the comeback with ADN’s Hali Oughton.
Talk about being clutch https://t.co/VSlBvVHZjL
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) November 9, 2018
The Knights were understandably excited about pulling off the comeback win.
More from the squad on the win and preparing for Saturday ✊ pic.twitter.com/q3NugMu9CP
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) November 9, 2018
UCF would advance to the Championship game where they would lose on penalty kicks to SMU. The Knights would end up hosting in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Lipscomb in the 2nd round.