Men's Soccer

UCF Claims Programs First Sun Belt Men's Soccer Championship

Huntington W. Va. – UCF defeated Marshall 3-1 to claim their first ever Sun Belt Men’s Soccer tournament title.

UCF earns the Sun Belt’s automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.

The No. 5 seeded Knights looked confident in the opening half, playing fast and aggressive against the No. 3 seeded Herd.

Marshall, already down multiple starters due to injury took a blow when All-Sun Belt defender Rai Pinto went down early and would not return to the match, losing another key member of their defense for the second match in a row.

UCF took advantage of Marshall’s defensive weakness in the 16th minute when Frederic Benedix would send a rocket into the top left of the goal to open scoring. The goal would be the first of the season for the senior.

Benedix’s goal would be the only of the first half, despite Marshall outshooting UCF 6-5 the Herd were unable to find the back of the net. 

UCF would pull away in the second half with the Sun Belt's Newcomer of the Year, Lilian Ricol netting a brace, bringing him to a league most 12 goals on the season.

Up 3-0, UCF looked to have a comfortable lead with just over 20 minutes to play. The Herd would try to respond to the Knights offensive attack and would with a goal of their own from forward Carl Romberg who sent a ball into the top right corner to bring the score to 3-1.

UCF tried to slow play and run down the clock as Marshall would get desperate in the final 16 minutes, leading to four yellow cards on the Herd.

The Knights were able to hold off the Herd, handing them their first loss at home since 2023 and win their first ever Sun Belt men’s soccer tournament title.

UCF’s Ricol earned the tournament’s most outstandings player for his performance and was joined by teammates Clarence Awoudor, Claudel N’Goubou and Frederic Benedix.
Senior Joey Mueller of UCF earned the Sun Belt Elite Award, given to a player that embodies the true essence of a student-athlete both on and off the field.

Both the Knights and the Herd will learn their NCAA tournament opponent during tomorrow’s selection show on NCAA.com at 1 p.m. ET.

2025 Sun Belt Men’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Most Outstanding Player
Lilian Ricol, UCF
Frederic Benedix, UCF
Claudel N’Goubou, UCF
Clarence Awodour, UCF
Gabriel Stevanato, Marshall
Joao Alvez, Marshall
Carl Romberg, Marshall
Sebastian Conlon, Kentucky
Marqes Muir, Kentucky
Thijs Veldhorst, West Virginia
Isaac Scheer, West Virginia