MIAMI - Tonight was a night in which the Florida International University men's soccer program celebrated its past glory with members from FIU's 1996 NCAA Finalists squad returning to University Park.  Combined with the arrival of the nation's top-ranked team, SMU, for the team's Conference USA opener, it promised to be a special event. 

The teams did not disappoint. 

Reduced to nine men midway through the second half after a pair of red cards was issued within a span of just over four minutes, the Golden Panthers (4-4-2, 0-1-0 C-USA) broke a 1-1 deadlock when junior Dadi Kristjansson (Akureyri, Iceland) blasted a high penalty kick in the center of the goal to give FIU hope of a miraculous upset with a 2-1 lead after 77 minutes.  The goal was Kristjansson's second of the season. 

The Mustangs (11-0-1, 1-0-0 C-USA) showed why they are the number one team in the country and held their composure, grabbing the equalizer just moments later on a 79^th minute tally by Bruno Guarda, who was in position 10 yards in front of goal when the ball came to him and directed a low shot toward the open left side of the goal. 

FIU defended gallantly under the relentless SMU pressure over the final 11 minutes of regulation and the first 10-minute overtime period, fending off 11 shots while unable to mount any offensive pressure of their own with the two-man disadvantage.  The pressure ended up being too much as in the 102^nd minute, Guarda found Scott Geppert five yards in front of the goal as Geppert turned and shot the ball in the low right-hand side of the net for the golden goal winner. 

The Mustangs got on the scoreboard first after a foul set up a free kick 25 yards out from goal in the center of the field in the 38^th minute.  Chase Wileman took the kick and curled the ball with a left-footed strike into the top left corner of the goal. 

The Golden Panthers equalized in the 66^th minute when senior David Hope's (North Tyneside, England) centering pass from alongside the goal line was knocked in by SMU defender Leone Cruz for an own goal. 

Hope was then sent off with a straight red card for a foul a minute later, and was immediately followed by head coach Karl Kremser, and then countryman and sophomore defender Phill Fisher (Swindon, England) four minutes later.  A total of eight cards were issued in the game, six to FIU and two to SMU.  The Mustangs committed 24 fouls to the Golden Panthers' 15. 

Tonight marked the first time an opponent had scored multiple goals against SMU this season, who had outscored its opposition 30-3 over the team's first 11 matches. 

Sophomore Kyle Thomas (Jensen Beach, Fla.) made his first start of the season in goal for the Golden Panthers and collected a career-high seven saves, which also matches the team's season-high.  Matt Wideman had no saves in goal for the Mustangs. 

SMU held a 27-9 advantage in shots, although it was just 12-8 before FIU was reduced to two men.  The Mustangs also enjoyed a 9-2 edge in corner kicks.