#7 FIU Men’s Soccer Settles for Draw Against Central Arkansas

MIAMI, FL – After moving up to seventh place in the country, the FIU Men’s Soccer team looked to capitalize on the latter end of a two-game home stand.

However, the unranked Central Arkansas Bears have FIU all they could handle and pushed the Panthers to the brink of their first loss on the year. Until the end, it was anyone’s game, and both sides had to settle for a 0-0 draw.

That’s not to say the offenses didn’t try. After seven total shots on frame, it was clear that the Panthers had looks and momentum, but could not get the ball in.

Perhaps FIU’s best chance at a goal came 12 minutes in when a shot by Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro who was all by himself at the back post, went awry.

Eduardo Mustre also had a good look with a header shot right before halftime, but Central Arkansas’ goalie Connor Wachtel swatted it away just in time.

In the second half, the Panthers kept up the pressure but couldn’t get past the Bears’ final stand. In the 70th minute, Maxim Sheenkov for Central Arkansas earned his second yellow card of the night, putting them at a disadvantage.

Even still, both teams were in a deadlock. A last-minute effort by Dos Santos Monteiro – a bullet shot on the right flank – was just a bit too high, and the whistle blew not long after.

Stats-wise, you would think the Panthers would have gotten a few goals. With 21 total shots and seven corner kicks, FIU set the pace at the beginning of the match and didn’t look back.

But give credit to the Bears keeper, who recorded seven saves on the night. Central Arkansas also committed 18 fouls, which was a big reason why their offense was as stagnant as they were.

FIU’s impressive home record dating back the last couple of years has taken a hit, but they still have high ambitions with a 2-0-1 record. They’ll look to redeem themselves in Orlando on Tuesday, September 5th at 7pm as they take on the #14 UCF Knights.