MIAMI - The Florida International University men's soccer team played positively, but dropped a 1-0 decision Friday evening to No. 9 USF thanks to a 23^rd-minute goal by Joris Claessens in the season opener for both teams at University Park.

Claessaens found himself in a fortunate position after a Kevon Neaves corner eluded the first wave of USF attackers and FIU defenders.  The Bull defender then easily headed home near the far post to give the visitors the lead.

The goal came against the run of play as the Golden Panthers (0-1) enjoyed the majority of the possession and scoring chances over the first 20 minutes.  FIU's best opportunity of the opening phase came on a point-blank shot to the right of goal by freshman Christian Caporaletti (Miami, Fla./American) that was met with a diving save by USF keeper Dane Brenner, who had four saves on the night, in the 12^th minute.

Another newcomer, junior Dadi Kristjansson (Akureyri, Iceland), nearly equalized in the 28^th minute after testing Brenner with a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out that was tipped by the outstretched keeper and turned away for a corner.

USF (1-0) eventually settled and started to wear the Golden Panthers down.  After shots were even at five apiece in the first half, the Bulls out-shot FIU, 10-3, in the second.  FIU goalkeeper Shawn Crowe (Aurora, Colo.) kept his team alive by making four of his game-high six saves in the second half, including a pair of point-blank efforts on Bulls forward Jordan Seabrook in the 52^nd minute. 

Seabrook again had a golden opportunity late in the game after Simon Schoendorf stole the ball in midfield and quickly countered with a through ball to Seabrook.  The forward's effort from the top of the penalty area just grazed the lower left post in the 86^th minute.

The Golden Panthers return to action next weekend when they will take on California on Friday and Cincinatti on Saturday at the SMU Radisson Invitational in Dallas.