ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF opened its preseason training with a pair of practices on Wednesday. The two sessions at 9:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. lasted about 90 minutes each on the training field adjacent to Bright House Networks Stadium.

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Senior midfielder Mason Miller started and finished all 18 games last year for the Knights. The Dallas, Texas, native scored a pair of goals at Cincinnati and was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

"We have been training for several weeks now, but this is the first day with coaches," Miller said. "There are a lot of newcomers that bring a lot to the table."

The Knights are in the early stages of building team chemistry with 10 newcomers on the roster. The squad returns eight players from a season ago including seven starters.

"We have a new training structure this year by going once in the morning and again in the afternoon," Miller said. "There is a big gap in the middle to provide time to rest and recover before the second session."

UCF faces Tampa in its first of two exhibition match on Aug. 19 with the start set for 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex. The season and home opener against Florida Atlantic is on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.

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Story, Pictures and Video by Nate Blythe.

Practice - (8/12/15) - Images by UCF Knights