UCF Handed 3-1 Setback at No. 11 USF

October 21, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF senior forward Hadji Barry tallied his ninth goal in the first half, but the marker that tied the score, 1-1, wasn't enough in a 3-1 loss to rival No. 11 USF on Wednesday evening at Corbett Stadium.

"After giving up an early goal, the players responded really well, knocked the ball around and had some fantastic opportunities," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "We got in behind them, scored the tying goal and had the momentum at halftime. Unfortunately, we gave up the second goal early on in the second half and were chasing the game against a very good team."

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PULLING EVEN
- In the 40th minute, Barry saved the ball on the left end line for UCF (5-8-1, 1-4-1 The American) and dribbled towards the goal.
- From a tough angle, his strike from the left side beat the keeper to the near post to knot the match, 1-1.
- It was the ninth goal of the campaign for the Brooklyn, N.Y., native.

NEAR MISSES
- Immediately after the first goal, the Knights came down and hit the cross bar on a strike by sophomore midfielder Matias Pyysalo in the 12th minute.
- The Knights saw freshman Joel Vartiainen have an opportunity from 15-yards out, but his shot from the right went just over the bar in the 71st minute.
- Freshman Jakov Basic had a header during the 83rd minute inside the six-yard box that was pushed over the bar by the keeper.

"All credit to South Florida, they dropped on us pretty deep in the second half and protected their goalkeeper by deflecting shots and denying crosses," Cunningham said. "Unfortunately, we could not break through in the penalty area, which is something that we pride ourselves on."

BULLS' STRIKES
- USF (10-3-1, 5-0-1 The American) added a pair of second half goals to clinch the 3-1 win.
- Nazeem Bartman registered the gamewinner in the 47th minute, while the insurance marker was notched by Brandon Riley.
- USF struck first in the 11th minute on a header from the right that was perfectly placed in the upper left corner by Melvin Beckett.

NEXT UP
- The Knights open a two-match homestand to conclude the regular season on Saturday at 7 p.m. vs. Memphis.
- Senior Knight is set for Oct. 31 against Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Mason Miller and Hadji Barry will be recognized prior to the match.

Story and Photo by Nate Blythe