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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com

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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Saturday was another tough night for UCF, falling 1-0 to UConn on a goal in the ninth minute at the UCF Soccer Complex. The Knights have played in 12 one-goal matches, but have only recorded one victory thus far during the 13-game season.

"We played a tough team in UConn that scored a goal against the run of play. I thought we pretty much controlled the game until that point," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "They scored a great goal and know how to kill a game. In the second half, we tried our best to get it going and to create some chances, but in the end, they were able to stave off those opportunities."

The Knights dropped to 1-8-4 overall and 0-2-3 in The American, while UConn improved to 3-1-1 in league play and 5-6-2 overall.

The lone marker in the match came in the ninth minute following a turnover deep in the Knights' own end. Cyle Larin passed from the right wing to Ethan Vanacore-Decker, who struck a laser into the top right corner from 18-yards out.

"I told the players after the game that I feel for them, because we have been on the wrong side of so many one-goal games," Cunningham said. "We are 13 games deep in the season and 12 of them have been one-goal games. At some point, we have to hope that our luck flips."

Up until that point, the Knights generated a few opportunities in the offense end and held possession. The best chance came on shot by junior Romario Williams that went high, which was setup by a cross from Hadji Barry through the box on the right wing.

Once the Huskies held the advantage, chances for both teams decreased as the half came to a close with each squad registered three shots.

UCF tallied a match-high seven shots including four in the second half. Williams paced the squad with four, while freshman Walker Dawkins added two.

The two-save shutout for the Huskies' Scott Levene was his fourth of the campaign. Sophomore goalkeeper Zach Biggs recorded one save for the Knights

In the 66th minute, Dawkins came open at the top of the 18, but his shot that went across the goal just missed the far post. An opportunity presented itself for Williams late in match during the 86th minutes, but Levene was up to the task in making a diving stop.

UCF presented by Napleton's Volkswagen welcomes in-state rival USF on Wednesday at 7 p.m. For more information on how to purchase tickets click here or call 407-UCF-1000.

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