MIAMI – The FIU men's soccer team placed two players on the All-Conference USA Preseason Team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday. Headlining the duo is senior forward Santiago Patino (Orlando, Fla./Freedom) who was tabbed the C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Joining Patino on the preseason team is junior midfielder Joris Ahlinvi (Gujan-Mestras, France/Esarc Evolution).
 
"I'm happy for Santi and Joris," said FIU men's soccer Head Coach Kevin Nylen. "It shows that the league knows who they are and that they have had success in previous seasons, and now can they come into the 2018 season and have an effect on the team moving forward."
 
In addition, the Panthers have been voted by the league's head coaches to finish first in this year's preseason coaches poll. FIU received four first place votes.
 
"I can't fight a top ranking from the conference (coaches)," said Nylen. "It's a preseason ranking so I don't look much into it, I'm just excited to get out and start training with the guys starting tomorrow (Wednesday)."
 
Patino, who recorded one of the best season's in program history in 2017, was tabbed a First-Team All-America by the United Soccer Coaches and was a semifinalist for the prestigious Hermann Trophy – given to the top Division I male and female soccer players in the country. He also proved to be one of the most prolific offensive players in America. Patino ended the regular season leading Conference USA in almost all offensive categories, including goals, points, goals-per-game, points-per-game, and game-winners. He was tabbed C-USA Offensive Player of the Week five times on the year and was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, Player of the Year, the Golden Boot Award recipient, and was named First-Team All-C-USA.
 
On the year, he tallied a total of 35 points and 15 goals, the most the program has seen by an individual player since 1996. He led the nation in goals-per-game and points-per-game for several weeks throughout the season, including top-five rankings in total points and goals. He finished the season third in the nation in goals-per-game and fourth in points-per-outing. His success on the pitch assisted the Panthers in leading the nation in scoring offense (2.78).
 
Patino tallied 10 multi-point matches this season, and four multi-goal affairs, including a three-goal outing against Marshall in a 4-0 win on Oct. 7.
 
Ahlinvi, a First Team All-Conference USA selection at the end of the 2017 campaign, finished fourth on the team in scoring with 14 points (4g, 6a) and tied for third in assists (6). He was also tied for third in C-USA in assists and was third in assists-per-game (0.62), was sixth in points-per-game (0.93) and 10^th in points scored.
 
Ahlinvi logged multiple points in five matches, including a three-point effort (1g, 1a) against North Florida on Sept. 26 in a 5-0 win.
 
The Panthers open their 2018 season at the John Rennie Nike Invitational at Duke University on Aug. 24, where FIU will face the host Blue Devils. The Panthers close out the weekend against Elon on Aug. 26, before returning to Miami for its home opener on Aug. 31, against Stetson at 7 p.m.
 
For men's soccer ticket information, contact the FIU Ticket Office at 305-FIU-GAME or log onto www.FIUSports.com.
 
2018 C-USA Men's Soccer Preseason Team                      
Daniel Bruce, Charlotte, R-Sr., F                                                             
Tommy Madden, Charlotte, Sr., MF                                        
^Callum Montgomery, Charlotte, Sr., D                                   
Joris Ahlinvi, FIU, Jr., MF                                                         
*Santiago Patino, FIU, Sr., F                                                   
Enrique Facusse, Kentucky, So., GK                                       
Tom Smart, New Mexico, R-Jr., D                                           
Mertcan Akar, Old Dominion, Jr., GK                                      
Niko Klosterhalfen, Old Dominion, Sr., MF                               
Luca Mayr, South Carolina, Jr., MF/F                                     
Mathieu Laurent, UAB, R-Sr., D                                  
 
*Preseason Offensive Player of the Year                               
^Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
 
2018 C-USA Men's Soccer Preseason Poll (First-Place Votes)
1. FIU (4)
2. Charlotte (2)
3. Old Dominion
4. Kentucky
5. New Mexico (1)
6. Marshall (1)
7. South Carolina
8. UAB (1)
9. Florida Atlantic
 
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