FIU men’s soccer (0-1-1, Conf 0-0) returns home to sunny South Florida for its home opener on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium. The Panthers take on No. 20 NC State in the second meeting between the two programs. Their first matchup came early last season, when FIU fell 2–0.
After Sunday’s matchup with the Omaha Mavericks ended in a draw. The Panthers will try to find their footing at home and earn their first win of the season against nationally ranked NC State.
NC State enters the match with a 1–0–1 record. Their last match came against Queens University, where the Wolfpack came from behind to earn a 2–1 victory.
See you tomorrow night Panther Nation 🗣️
7 PM // 🏟️ Leyva Family Field pic.twitter.com/8IjzggWxEf
— FIU Men's Soccer (@FIUMensSoccer) August 27, 2026
The Wolfpack will look to recapture the success of last season and make another run at the NCAA championship game. Four players from the 2025 squad return, including Tyler Canton, who scored in the victory over Queens.
The Panthers have produced 21 shots in their first two games but have only found the back of the net twice. Santi Possu and Pasquale Capriati have each scored once for the Panthers this season, with both goals coming in the season opener against the Creighton Bluejays
Possu and Alfonso Gilleard-Soriano lead the team in total shots, both have three shots each. Raúl Carrasco, Benjamin Watt, Sergio Perello, Martin Piedeleu, and Mats Vogel follow with two shots apiece.
The goalkeeper Nigel Van Haveren has been a steady presence for the Panthers, recording four saves through the first two matches. The senior made three saves in Sunday’s scoreless draw against Omaha, earning his first clean sheet of the season and ninth of his career.
Thursday will mark the first ranked opponent for the Panthers this season. No. 20 NC State will be the 27th ranked opponent FIU has faced in the regular season with head coach Kyle Russell leading the team. During that stretch, the Panthers have earned 10 wins against ranked teams.
Following Thursday’s matchup, the Panthers will host St. Thomas (Fla.). The match will mark the first meeting between the two South Florida programs as FIU looks to build early-season momentum on its home field.
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