UCF, FIU Play to Scoreless Draw in Miami

October 11, 2011

MIAMI, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) – Competing for the first time in over a week, the No. 6 UCF men’s soccer team played to a scoreless draw at Conference USA foe FIU Tuesday. The match was called with 4:49 remaining due unplayable field conditions at FIU Soccer Stadium after heavy rains fell during the second half.

With the tie, the Knights moved to 8-1-2 overall and 2-0-1 in league play.

The contest was the first since Oct. 1 for the Knights. UCF was scheduled to host league foe South Carolina Saturday, but the match was postponed due to heavy rain.

UCF had several scoring chances throughout the match, but FIU (4-5-3, 1-2-1) goalkeeper Rodney Greiling made some outstanding saves. Greiling recorded six saves, as did UCF junior Shawn Doyle (Fort Myers, Fla.). FIU registered 16 shots, and the Knights attempted 14.

“We defended well at times, and played well in spurts,” UCF head coach Bryan Cunningham said. “But we struggled in front of the goal. We had chances to put the game away, but we didn’t do it. You have to give credit to FIU. Their goalkeeper was tremendous, and made some point-blank saves that were first class. We will have to regroup and get ready to go on the road again Saturday at UAB.”

Senior Warren Creavalle (Acworth, Ga.) attempted four shots, including three on goal, for the Knights. He had the chance to give UCF a 1-0 edge at the 77-minute mark, but Greiling stopped his shot.

The match at FIU served as a homecoming for UCF junior Andrew Quintana (Miami, Fla.). The defender played all 85 minutes Tuesday.

UCF will return to action Saturday at UAB. The match in Birmingham will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern.