Panthers Three-Game Winning Streak Snapped By Pesky Owls

Riding off a three-game winning streak, FIU Men’s Soccer couldn’t extend it against the pesky Florida Atlantic Owls, falling by a score of 2-0 up north in Boca Raton.

The aggressive attack from the FIU offense was held scoreless in the first half. It was FAU who had better opportunities to score, but Nigel Van Haveren made two crucial saves to keep the game scoreless heading to halftime.

FIU is usually the one committing more fouls, but that wasn’t the case tonight. Still, they made a crucial mistake in the 53rd, awarding Florida Atlantic a penalty kick. They capitalized to take a 1-0 lead not long after the start of the second half.

The Panthers got more opportunities as the game went on, wrapping up with 11 shots. Four of those actually had a shot at the net, but they were all deflected away. Alfonso Gillaeard-Soriano led the way with three shots, but it was a tough night on offense for the Panthers.

A Disappointing Bus Ride Home

FAU opened the floodgates with an insurance goal in the 89th minute, sealing away the match and shutting down the red-hot Panthers. There is a bright spot, as Van Haveren finished with four saves, bringing his total this season to 28. That’s the most in the conference.

With the loss, FIU falls to 4-3-2 on the season, but still has a positive 2-1 record in the conference. The Panthers have lost four of their last five matches to the Owls, but won arguably the most important one last season in the American Championship Tournament.

It’s time for a random trip out to the West Coast. FIU will head to Oregon to take on the Portland Pilots on Tuesday, September 30th at 10pm. If you can stay up, it can be seen on ESPN+.

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