Preseason ends on a high

The men's soccer team concluded a successful preseason with a 2-0-1 record, and recorded a victory in its third and final exhibition game, 2-0, over St. Leo, Saturday afternoon at the UCF Soccer Complex.

Junior Cameron Cooksey and redshirt sophomore Eduardo Jimenez tallied goals for the Knights, while sophomore Shawn Doyle got the start in goal and recorded one save. He split time with redshirt fresman Will Hetico, who had two saves in the win.    

"This game brought our preseason to a close on a high note," head coach Brian Cunningham said in a press release. "We finished the preseason undefeated and only gave up one goal, which was a point of emphasis for us. It wasn't as crisp tonight, but we created some scoring chances and finished them. It gives us something to build on now as we head into our regular-season schedule."

The Knights scored their first goal of the contest in the 24th minute when Jimenez played a through ball to Spencer Scott on the right, who took it on the run at the top of the penalty box.

Scott played in a short cross that beat the keeper and left Cooksey with an open goal. He then punched it into the empty net.  

UCF struck again two minutes later, after Adam Kraemer chipped a pass to Jimenez who received it out of the air at the PK spot and netted it to the far post.  

The Knights open their regular-season schedule Wednesday when it welcomes Jacksonville to the UCF Soccer Complex for a 7 p.m. matchup.