Miller Leads UCF over Cincinnati, 3-2

October 25, 2014

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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com

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CINCINNATI, Ohio. (UCFKnights.com) - Senior Mason Miller scored twice, including the game-winner with five minutes remaining, to propel UCF to its first win, 3-2, in The American on Saturday night at Cincinnati at Gettler Stadium.

"Tonight, we were up against it again after scoring two great goals. A lot of credit goes to Cincinnati for coming back with two goals themselves to tie the game," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "Our guys kept fighting and were finally able to push one through after being so close a number of times this year. Mason scored two great goals for us. We have learned from the ways of our past and were able to successful kill off the last five minutes perfectly and get the win."

UCF (2-9-4, 1-3-3) has played in 16 one-goal matches during the year, despite its record, and was able to learn from those close calls in finishing off the Bearcats (5-8-3, 2-4-1).

Junior Romario Williams opened the scoring in the 43rd minute. He took a header from Miller from a goal kick and beat the keeper to put the Knights on top before the half.

UCF came out firing in the second half as Miller tallied his first-collegiate goal in the 47th minute by heading in a rebound. Williams earned an assist after striking a free kick that the keeper stopped.

The Bearcats found the score sheet in the 64th minute on a header by Christian Hay off a corner served up by Alan Rovira. Momentum swung in Cincinnati's favor as Alejandro Garcia scored the equalizer two minutes later on a cross from Ashanti Walker.

After yielding a pair of quick goals, the Knights were able to regroup and ended up out-shooting the Bearcats 11-to-10 in the match.

An opportunity for Miller came in the 85th minute as freshman Walker Dawkins served up a free kick that he headed into the upper right corner past the keeper to put the Knights back on top.

Sophomore Zach Biggs won his first contest of the season, while Taylor Hafling and Alex Gill combined in goal for Cincinnati.

The Knights conclude play in The American on Nov. 1 at Tulsa. The first kick in the match is set for 8 p.m. ET.

UCF presented by Napleton's Volkswagen welcomes in-state foe Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the home finale. For more information on how to purchase tickets click here or call 407-UCF-1000.

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