FIU men’s soccer (0-1, Conf 0-0) opened the season with a 6–2 loss to the Creighton Bluejays. The Panthers will remain in Nebraska before taking on the Omaha Mavericks on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 8 p.m.
The Bluejays got on the board early, scoring in the 20th minute. They added two more goals in the 24th and 28th minutes to take a comfortable 3–0 lead into halftime. The Bluejays would add two more scores in the second half before the Panthers could respond.
Santi Possu scored his first goal in a Panthers uniform, marking FIU’s first goal of the 2026 season, with Johan Helan and Benjamin Watt assisting. The Panthers would add another goal in the 89th minute when Pasquale Capriati scored his first goal of the 2026 season with the assist from Jad Benjelloun.
But it would not be enough for the Panthers to secure the win. FIU totaled 11 shots, led by Alfonso Gilleard-Soriano, Sergio Perello and Mats Vogel, who each recorded two. Owen Barnett, Pasquale Capriati and Santi Possu added one shot apiece. Nigel Van Haveren made the start as goalie and recorded three saves.
71’ | Santi with the first goal of the season 🔥
FIU 1, Creighton 4 pic.twitter.com/Agbc8v1kAi
— FIU Men's Soccer (@FIUMensSoccer) August 21, 2026
The Panthers now turn their attention to the Omaha Mavericks. After late goals from Santi Possu and Pasquale Capriati, FIU will look to carry that offensive momentum into Sunday’s matchup and leave Omaha with its first victory of the season.
The Mavericks are coming off a 4–2 win over Eastern Illinois after rallying from a 2–0 deficit in their season opener. FIU holds a 2–0 all-time record against Omaha, with the most recent meeting coming early last season when the Panthers earned a 4–1 victory. Sunday presents another opportunity for FIU to continue that success and pick up its first win of the 2026 season.
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