MIAMI, FL – FIU Men’s Soccer (3-3-1, Conf. 0-1) hosted Drake University for a Saturday night matchup. The Panthers beat the Bulldogs 1-0. Following the home victory, FIU sits at 7th place in the American conference standings.
The Panthers controlled possession for most of the match. The offense recorded 12 total shots, with six on goal. FIU outshot the Bulldogs 12–5.
The match remained scoreless until the 73rd minute of the game. Santi Possu was awarded a penalty kick and converted the opportunity to score the lone goal of the match. The goal marked Possu’s fourth of the season, the most by any Panther so far this season.
72’ | SANTI PK GOALLLLLL 😱
His fourth of the season puts us up 1-0! pic.twitter.com/2Axe43uFLc
— FIU Men's Soccer (@FIUMensSoccer) September 20, 2026
“Happy to come back. It’s been tough, but we did it at home. Happy the team came back,” Possu said on his goal and FIU’s victory.
Goalkeeper Nigel Van Haveren recorded his third clean sheet of the season, making three saves against the Bulldogs.
“It feels great. Especially at home, in front of our fans. To have a shutout and win is amazing,” Van Haveren said on the victory.
With the Panthers controlling much of the match offensively, Van Haveren faced less pressure on the defensive end. The goalkeeper credited his teammates for consistently creating opportunities and making his job easier throughout the match.
“They say the good day for goalkeepers are the lazy days, right? You don’t have so much to do. So, I’m proud of the team for creating that many chances again, again and again. It’s not going in the first time or the second time, but we kept pushing and, in the end, we get the goal we deserved,” Van Haveren said on the team’s offensive performance.
What’s Next
Following the victory over Drake University, the Panthers will remain at home to host a conference matchup against the University of Memphis at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium. This matchup marks the 14th meeting between the two programs, with FIU holding a 7–5–1 advantage in the all-time series.
The teams last met in Memphis a season ago, when the Panthers secured a 1–0 victory. FIU will look to replicate that result Friday and pick up its first conference win of the season.
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