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In an action-packed weekend that saw wins from football, men’s and women’s basketball, and an outright conference championship for volleyball, the UCF Knights men’s soccer team could not keep the good mojo going as the team lost to the Lipscomb Bisons in a 1-0 overtime loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Our 2018 season may have come to an end, but we’re ready to take that next step.
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) November 19, 2018
Thank you so much for all your support this season. pic.twitter.com/L4jBMBEkEI
UCF entered the postseason as the 14th overall seed thanks to a 13-win season led by second-year coach Scott Calabrese and striker Cal Jennings. The top-16 seed gave the team a bye in Round 1 as Lipscomb took down Washington for the chance to visit the Knights in Orlando.
UCF was on the attack for majority of the game, outshooting the Bisons 19-8, but Lipscomb goalkeeper Chris Zappia was dominant for the opponent, saving eight shots on goal.
UCF goalkeeper Yannik Oettl was a wall for the Knights for majority of the game until Lipscomb substitute Louis Robinson scored a goal off the bench to give the Bisons the golden goal they needed and a trip to the third round of the tournament.
Survive. Advance. @LipscombMSOC is moving on after an OT winner!#NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/DJJN66OknH
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 19, 2018
The loss for the Knights marked the furthest point the team had made it in program history. However, it is hard to not feel disappointed knowing this team could have made a deeper run.
"This program has a bright future and we are aiming to be one of the top programs in the country."
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) November 19, 2018
to more of what Coach and Yannik had to say about moving forward pic.twitter.com/wB2EMD215M
However, the Knights have made significant progress in the past two years since Coach Calabrese took over the head coaching gig. He’ll be back. A majority of the team’s nucleus, including Jennings and Oettl, will be back. It’s a young squad that will only get better and more experienced to gear up for a deeper run next season.
Tough ending to a historic season for @UCF_MSoccer - but doesn’t take away from the foundation that has been laid. We are building a powerhouse men’s soccer program under the leadership of @CoachCalabrese - the success of this year’s team is way ahead of schedule!!
— Danny White (@UCFDannyWhite) November 19, 2018