MIAMI - Following an emotionally-charged effort against top-ranked SMU this past Friday, the Florida International men's soccer team was unable to match that same energy as the Golden Panthers fell, 2-0, to Tulsa in Conference USA action Wednesday evening at University Park. 

The Golden Hurricane improved to 4-7-0 on the year and 2-1 in conference play, while FIU dropped to 4-5-2 and 0-2 in C-USA. 

Both Tulsa goals were scored in similar fashion.  Hunter Christiansen took the ball from a Golden Panther defender in the left corner of the penalty area alongside the goal line, and then sent a low cross to a wide open Jose Parada at the far post for the easy score in the 35^th minute. 

The Golden Hurricane sealed the victory in the 78^th minute when Eric Burkholder's low cross from the right side of the box was tapped in by an unmarked Kyle Corrie at the far post. 

Tulsa controlled play throughout the first half and generated a number of scoring chances, only to be denied on all but the one by FIU goalkeeper Shawn Crowe (Aurora, Colo.).  Crowe made three key saves in the half, including one on a penalty kick in the 15^th minute to keep his side in the match.  The senior finished the match with five saves. 

FIU's best chance of the first half came when sophomore forward Levi Coleman (Broken Arrow, Okla.) got on the end of a long Chris Handy (Austin, Texas) free kick at the top of the penalty area and tried to head the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Tyrel Lacey, and yet the Tulsa keeper was able to recover and make the save. 

The Golden Panthers came out of the halftime break looking eager to find an equalizer.  It nearly came in the 51^st minute after Bruno Barbosa found Coleman making a run into the box.  Coleman attempted to beat two defenders, and as the ball rolled inside the box, sophomore Dadi Kristjansson (Akureyri, Iceland) made a quick turn and shot the ball from 10 yards out only to see the ball smack the left post. 

Three minutes later, Handy tested Lacey with a long-range effort from about 40 yards out near the right touchline which Lacey was forced to tip over the bar.  Coleman got his head on the end of the ensuing corner at the near post but the shot was deflected over the bar. 

Barbosa nearly pulled one goal back in the 85^th minute.  Ainsley Deer (Kingston, Jamaica) got free from his markers on the left side of the penalty area and sent a low cross to Christian Caporaletti (Miami, Fla./American), who was unable to get a shot off.  The ball ended up on Barbosa's foot, and yet his 10-yard effort went wide of the right post. 

Tonight's match was the end of an eight-game home stand for the Golden Panthers, who next travel to No. 9 South Carolina for a C-USA match Saturday at 7 p.m.