The FIU men's soccer team got one step closer to an improbable conference championship as they once again came from behind, this time to defeat Marshall 3-2 to advance to the finals of the Conference USA Championship Tournament.

Sophomore Juan Guerra (Caracas, Venezuela) scored his seventh goal of the season in the second minute of overtime to help FIU avenge a loss to Marshall earlier in the season and send the Golden Panthers to their first-ever C-USA Final.

“It feels good. I'm happy for the kids,” said head coach Munga Eketebi. “I'm really happy for them, after the tough season. I've tried to tell them all along ?we can compete with anybody.' Now, at least, everybody can see we're not as bad as our record indicates.”

The Golden Panthers dominated play as they outshot the Herd 24-12.

FIU fell behind earlier when Nick Daniel got a shot past FIU keeper Kyle Thomas (Jensen Beach, Fla.) to give Marshall the one goal advantage.

In the 32^nd minute, freshman Steven Jair Cabas (Miami, Fla.) nearly equalized for FIU when he beat the Marshall defense and let lose a shot that bounced dangerously off the far post, keeping the score at 1-0.

Senior Mario Franca (Miami, Fla.) tied the score for FIU in the 38^th minute when he fired a low shot that got past the Marshall defense and, with the keeper out of position, slowly rolled into the net.

The score would remain tied going into the break with FIU holding a 10-2 advantage in shots.

Things got heated in the 63^rd minute when Marshall's Jermaine Johnson picked up a red card, thus giving FIU a one man advantage.

The Golden Panthers didn't take too long to capitalize as Cabas gave FIU the lead in the 68^th minute. After getting behind the Thundering Herd defense, the C-USA All-Freshman selection fired a shot from the left side that once again bounced off the right post but this time took the right bounce for FIU and went into the net for a 2-1 Golden Panther lead.

Marshall pulled even in the 72^nd minute when the referee awarded a penalty shot to Avneet Shergill. FIU keeper Kyle Thomas guessed correctly but couldn't come up with the stop, and the Herd pulled even at two.

The one-man advantage for FIU was eliminated in the 73^rd minute when Phill Fisher (Swindon, England) was sent off after picking up a red card.

All C-USA First Team selection Juan Guerra came close to giving FIU the lead in the 78^th minute when he made a run down the left side and sent an attempt that, like so many others during the season, bounced off the far post.

The Golden Panthers kept the pressure on but couldn't find the back of the net as time expired, sending the C-USA semifinal match into extra time.

FIU wasted little time putting away the Thundering Herd. Juan Guerra, who provided most of the offense for FIU this season, sent FIU into a frenzy when he beat the Marshall keeper for his second goal of the tournament.

“The players did everything we wanted them to do,” said Eketebi. “I told them to enjoy the win. Enjoy the moment. Sunday will be a tough challenge with Phill and Roaul out, but everybody will have to step up.”

The Golden Panthers move on to face the winner of the match between top-seeded Tulsa and the No.4 seed South Carolina. The tournament final is slated for this Sunday at 4 PM EST.

Fans can watch the final online through the Conference USA website for $7.95. The game will also be broadcasted on CSTV.