UCF played its second straight overtime game in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night in Dallas. This time, the Knights were on the receiving end of a golden goal.
Eddie Munjoma’s 91st minute goal allowed SMU (18-1-1) to advance to the Elite Eight at the Knights’ expense. UCF (15-3-2) ends its season, one where it was ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
Saturday’s meeting was the third time UCF and Southern Methodist squared off this season. The Knights tied SMU 3-3 on Oct. 6, lost 1-0 in the Conference-USA Tournament final and Saturday’s devastating defeat.
“I thought we were very good in the game,” said UCF head coach Scott Calabrese told UCFKnights.com afterward. “This was probably our best performance of the season, regardless of the opponent. I’m just really proud of the guys in how they handled the big game, really proud of their performance, but we easily could have won the game. Really proud of the season that our guys put together. When you really look at the evolution of the program the last three years, its incredible.”
UCF won the American Athletic Conference regular season title for the first time this season. The Knights advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
UCF forward Cal Jennings scored his nation-leading 18th goal in the 25th minute. The senior, and 2018 United Soccer Coaches first team All-American, finished his career with 52 collegiate goals.