The Golden Panthers (3-7-0; 0-3 C-USA) had an early scoring opportunity when UCF keeper Shawn Doyle came out of the box and handled a ball, earning a handball call and a free kick for FIU from just outside the box at the 2:17 mark. Diego Tamburus took the shot on goal, but was turned away by Doyle. UCF (4-4-1; 1-2 C-USA) took the lead in the 17^th minute when FIU defender Jahbari Willis was whistled for a foul inside the box setting up a penalty kick. Nik Robson, the Knights leading scorer this season, beat FIU keeper Shane Lopez for his fourth goal of the season and a 1-0 UCF advantage.

With just over three minutes to go in the first half, Tamburus took another free kick from the left side and bent it beautifully towards the net. Unfortunately for the Golden Panthers, the shot sailed just high, keeping the score 1-0 as the teams headed into the intermission.  

Jesse Chang saved a possible goal in the 59^th minute when he ran down UCF's Spencer Scott who appeared to have a one on one chance with FIU's keeper. However, Chang showed great closing speed to catch up and dispossess the UCF attacker.

Just a minute later, FIU nearly tied the match when Diego Tamburus controlled a pass just inside the box, turned and fired on goal only to be turned away by a diving stop by UCF's Shawn Boyd. The corner kick that ensued was sent towards the box and headed towards goal by Jair Cabas, but his shot was wide right.

The Knights' lead became 2-0 in the 72^nd minute on Yaron Bacher's second goal of the year.

In the 87^th minute, Cabas cut the lead in half, netting his second goal of the year after Sebastian Frings deflected a pass towards Cabas and the junior forward pounded it in.

Unfortunately for the Golden Panthers, it would be too little too late as the Knights held on for the 2-1 victory.

FIU is back in conference action this weekend as they travel to Birmingham, Alabama for a Saturday tilt with the Blazers of UAB.