Temple Falls to No. 14 UCF in 1-0 Battle

Saturday, February 13

Philadelphia, PA

2:00

Temple University

1-1-0, 1-1-0

#14 UCF

1-1-0, 1-1-0

UCF

Temple

Photo by: Zamani Feelings

Temple Falls to No. 14 UCF in 1-0 Battle

2.13.21 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA – The Temple men's soccer team (1-1-0, 1-1-0 AAC) lost a close battle to #14 UCF (1-1-0, 1-1-0 AAC) to receive their first loss of the season. The Owls were unable to mount a comeback despite an outstanding defensive effort and strong goalkeeper play.

How it Happened
>Goalkeeper Nikolas Hartmann started strong with a save in just the second minute of play. The shot at the top of box from UCF forward Lucca Dourado was on target for the bottom left corner. Hartmann was able to read the play early and make an easy save on the ball.
> Hartmann saved two more shots from Dourado less than two minutes apart. In the 22^nd minute, Dourado fired a rocket towards the left side of the net that Hartmann was able to parry away. Only a minute and a half later the Ibiza native made another save off a fastbreak chance that was sailing toward the goal. Hartmann stood his ground and made his third save of the day.
> UCF broke the scoreless tie in the 38^th minute. The Knights got behind the Temple backline off a fast break. Mauricio Villalobos crossed the ball to an open Gino Vivo who put it in the back of the net to make the score 1-0.
> UCF came out firing in the second half, but Hartmann would not allow them to score again He continued his excellent play in the 47^th minute, with another save off a tricky bouncing shot from Vivo.
> In the 51^st minute Hartmann made his fifth and perhaps most impressive save of the day. With the Owls temporarily a man down, UCF launched a free kick into the goal box that bounced around multiple times before being turned directly on net. The goalkeeper made a diving save that kept the game within striking distance for the Owls.
> Temple struggled to muster shot attempts until late in the match. In the 81^st minute, Amir Cohen launched a ball towards the top of the goal that was punched away by UCF goalkeeper Yannick Oettl. Cohen shot another one towards the center of the goal in the 87^th minute that was also saved by Oettl.

Game Notes
> This marks the third straight game against UCF where the Owls have not scored a goal. However, it is also the closest Temple has played the Knights over that same stretch.
> Hartmann's five saves are the most for any American Athletic Conference goalkeeper this season.
>Both Pierre Cayet and Andres Charles received yellow cards during the match. They will carry those cards into next week.

From the Coach
> "I thought it was a game that was winnable," said head coach Brian Rowland. "I think that's the expectation of this program, and that's the expectation of our team. They're a good team, no disrespect to them, but we're at the stage where this is a game we should win. We'll look at it, we'll regroup, we'll file it and move on and get ready for a big game at Memphis."

Up Next
> The Owls will travel to Memphis next week to face the Tigers on Saturday, Feb. 20. The conference duel is set for 7 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.