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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com

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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF was unable to finish a number of first-half opportunities in a 1-0 loss to North Florida on Wednesday night at the UCF Soccer Complex. The Ospreys scored the lone goal on a free kick just outside the top of the box in the 75th minute as Simen Solstad found the top right corner.

The Knights (1-4-1) recorded six shots in the contest, including five in the first half. North Florida (3-3-0) took three shots on goal in each period.

"Our players learned a hard lesson tonight that every one of our opponents are going to come into games ready to fight and work hard," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "We have to be ready to not only match that, but work even harder. This is a pretty low moment in UCF soccer, no discredit to UNF, which did a fantastic job tonight managing the game. This is more an indication that our team has a long way to go.

At the five-minute mark, a beautiful through pass from the right by sophomore Javier Clavijo sent junior forward Hadji Barry one-on-one with the keeper Kyle Nasta, who was forced to make two saves including one on the rebound.

Junior forward Romario Williams registered three shots on target during the contest including a pair of opportunities in a three minute-span that ended in the 28th minutes. The Portmore, Jamaica, native accepted a pass from freshman Matias Pyysalo, but was too close to the charging keeper to chip the ball over top.

Following the UNF goal, the Knights had a few chances including a shot from sophomore Fernando Laverde and a corner kick taken by Williams.

Recording two saves was senior goalkeeper Sebastian Evers, while Nasta picked up his first win with six stops.

The Knights head to Indiana on Sept. 24 for a 7 p.m. match. The contest is set to broadcast on Big Ten Plus.

UCF presented by Napleton's Volkswagen returns to the UCF Soccer Complex on Sept. 27 against Memphis to open play in The American with the kick set for 7 p.m.