After more than a week off due to Hurricane Irma, UCF returned to the pitch on Tuesday night and fell 1-0 at Florida Gulf Coast.
Junior Preston Kilwien scored the game-winning goal off a corner kick in the 78th minute. It was his third goal of the season.
The Knights (1-3-1) and Eagles (2-3-1) played to a scoreless tie in the first half, each registering one shot on goal. Senior Matias Pyysalo had UCF’s only first half chance in the 24th minute, but it was turned away. Florida Gulf Coast finished the half with a 4-2 shot advantage.
Junior Gorka Aperribay had a chance on a header in the 48th minute, but the keeper made his second save of the night. FGCU then struck the post in the 56th minute, nearly gaining a 1-0 advantage. The Knights had a couple of chances late, but couldn’t break through. The Eagles finished with an 11-7 advantage in shots on goal.
UCF last played on Sept. 9, earning a draw against No. 14 West Virginia. Last week’s home match against FIU was then canceled.
The team opens up conference play on Saturday at USF (2-3-0) at 7 p.m. before heading to SMU (6-1-0) the following Friday. The next scheduled home match is Oct. 4 against Stetson (2-4-0) at 7 p.m.