Aug. 23, 2015

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF midfielder Hadji Barry scored twice to put the Knights up 2-0, but Lynn University answered just before half and found the equalizer in the 52nd minute. The game-winning goal in the 3-2 victory came in the 57th minute on a free kick by freshman Jakov Basic on Sunday at the UCF Soccer Complex.

Related: Photo Gallery | SoundCloud: Coach Cunningham, Barry, Pyysalo

"There was a lot of perseverance with our team tonight," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "We battled back to get the third goal. We showed good maturity after retaking the lead and closed out the game."

The strike from Basic came from about 28 yards out just to the left of the goal and curled past the keeper into the far post. It was the first goal for the freshman defender from Zagreb, Croatia.

Assist on the goals by Barry were credited to Basic, sophomores Matias Pyysalo and David Raizes.

"Mason, Walker and I have built some good chemistry in the midfield," Pyysalo said. "We played all of last season together and clicked as a unit. Now, we are able to find each other all the time, connect passes and find our forwards up top."

BARRY STRIKES TWICE
In the 40th minute, UCF won a corner on the right side. The cross was struck by Matias Pyysalo and found Jakov Basic, who flicked it towards the right post. Barry jumped up and beat the keeper with a header to put the Knights on top, 1-0.

"Matias is a big threat for us in the middle," Barry said. "We need him to get those assists. He made a good play down the middle and it is my job to find the open areas."

Barry struck for his second goal in the 40th minute by hitting a one-touch shot off a cross by winger Razies from the right side. The shot beat the keeper low to the far post. It was the third strike of the preseason that found the back of the net for the Brooklyn, N.Y., native.

MATURITY FROM THE FRESHMEN
In the two exhibitions, freshmen Gorka Aperribay, C.J. Campbell, Zackary Waitman, Jakov Basic and Joel Vartiainen played substantial minutes for the Knights. Basic may have been the only one to find the scoresheet, but all had positive impacts in the matches.

"The young guys that have come in have played with a lot of maturity," Cunningham said. "They have played minutes coming from good backgrounds. Jakov started really well with scoring that goal. It was good for him and shows the hard work that he put into taking free kicks last night paid off."

HOME OPENER
The Knights open the home slate on Friday at 7 p.m. against Florida Atlantic. General admission seats are $5, while youth/faculty/groups (10+) can purchase discounted tickets for $4. UCF is 19-14-6 overall in season openers, including a 5-1-1 record in the first match home in the last seven years.

BECOME A KNIGHTS WATCH SUPPORTER
Membership to the official supporter's group, Knights Watch, is $50 for non-students and features season tickets, soccer scarf, T-shirt and several catered tailgates. Student membership can be purchased for $15. Find out more about the Knights Watch by clicking here.

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
A general admission seat to all regular season home matches and a special scarf can be purchased for $30. Youth (age 2-17) season tickets can be purchased for $15. More information on how to purchase tickets click here or call 407-UCF-1000.