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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com

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AKRON, Ohio (UCFKnights.com) - UCF was unable to spoil Akron's home opener, falling 2-1 on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. Junior forward Romario Williams connected on his second penalty-kick goal in as many matches for the Knights.

UCF (1-3-0) played in front of a crowd of 2,785 as Akron (1-2-1), which celebrated the 60th anniversary of its program at halftime.

"Our plan going in was to start strong and try to score early. At the very least, we wanted to get to halftime, 0-0, so we could take their crowd out of the match," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "Unfortunately, we gave up the first goal and started to chase the game too much. Early in the second half, they scored the second goal and we found ourselves in a tough situation. I give our players a lot of credit for battling back and making it a one-goal game, but we were unable to manufacture another chance to equalize."

The Zips struck first at 32:54 off a cross by Jesse Garcia on a set piece from the right, which was headed in by Saad Abdul-Salaam in the box past Evers.

Garcia increased the Akron advantage to 2-0 by sliding a one-touch shot from Sam Gainford into the back of the net past Evers at 63:38.

Following a hand ball by the Zips in the 18-yard box in the 83rd minute, Williams beat the keeper on a penalty kick with a hard-low shot to the left that cut the deficit to 2-1. The Portmore, Jamaica, native scored his second goal of the campaign.

Just before the UCF penalty kick, a golden opportunity came when Williams found freshman Matias Pyysalo streaking down the right wing, but his shot was off target

Coach Cunningham altered the starting lineup slightly before the match by placing junior Mason Miller in the midfield. The Dallas, Texas, native started his career as a midfielder, but was moved to right back halfway through last season.

"Mason [Miller] was tremendous for us," Cunningham said. "He provided leadership and experience in the midfield for us tonight. He has a strong work ethic and that showed. He was a big engine in there and helped to disrupt their possession."

The Knights finished with five shots of which three were on goal. Williams paced the squad with three shots, while Miller and Pyysalo were each credited with one.

Senior goalkeeper Sebastian Evers made four saves on 11 Akron shots during the contest. The Zips' keeper Jake Fenlason finished with two saves.

"The coaching staff really believes in this group," Cunningham said. "Hopefully, the guys start to believe in themselves, so we can refocus and pick up a big win on Sunday."

The Knights continue the Akron Tournament on Sunday at noon with a matchup against College of Charleston. Live stats are available for the contest.

UCF presented by Napleton's Volkswagen returns to the UCF Soccer Complex on Sept. 17 against North Florida with the kick set for 7 p.m.

Season tickets, which includes a general admission seat to all regular season home matches and a special soccer scarf, are on-sale for $30. Youth (age 2-17) season tickets can be purchased for $15. For more information on how to purchase tickets click here or call 407-UCF-1000.