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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com

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MIAMI Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF was unable to come back after yielding two first-half goals in a 2-1 loss to FIU on Wednesday night at the FIU Soccer Stadium. Junior forward Romario Williams converted his third penalty-kick goal of the season in the 87th minutes.

The Portmore, Jamaica, native tallied his team leading sixth goal of the season for UCF (1-7-4).

"All the credit goes to FIU in the first half, because it came out firing on all cylinders from the start," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "The early goal really helped them build a lot of momentum. We were under a lot of pressure there and they capitalized on getting the second goal. From there, we were really chasing it.

"Our players deserve some credit in the second half, because they ramped up the intensity. We were able to put them under pressure and started creating a lot of chances for ourselves. We had a couple of opportunities that went begging wide and the keeper made a couple of great saves. We stole one late, but in the end it wasn't enough."

FIU (4-7-1) opened the scoring in the second minute on a shot by Quentin Albrecht at the top of the 18. Daniel Gonzalez set up the marker.

The Panthers continued pressuring and controlled play, which led to Sean McFarland tapping in his own rebound on a header that hit the post at 21:55.

After regrouping at the half, the Knights started generating opportunities as Williams had a shot that went wide in the 56th minute. Junior Hadji Barry had a quality chance five yards in front of the goal, but the keeper Robin Spiegel made the diving stop.

The build up to the penalty came from a cross into the box from the left wing to Williams, who dribbled around one defender before being pulled down. The attempt by Williams on the penalty kick was struck into the top left corner.

The final chance for the Knights came off a corner kick by Dawkins, where Williams had a shot the veered just wide of the net.

Williams and Barry took all the shots for the Knights, taking four and three, respectively. UCF executed a game-high seven corner kicks.

Sophomore Zach Biggs recorded four saves, while facing 12 shots from the Panthers.

"We showed some great determination in the second half, which has been missing in the four prio matches, where we have built a lead, but have not been able to close out games," Cunningham said. "Hopefully now, we can put it all together and play a complete 90-minute game on Saturday night against UConn."

UCF presented by Napleton's Volkswagen returns home on Saturday with a 7 p.m. match against UConn following the UCF football game against Tulane, which kicks at noon at Bright House Network Stadium. For more information on how to purchase tickets click here or call 407-UCF-1000.

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