After FIU honored its five departing seniors prior to the match, the Golden Panthers couldn't break the Kentucky defense as the Wildcats scored two second half goals to beat FIU 2-0, Sunday afternoon at the FIU Soccer Stadium.
FIU nearly took the lead in the 38th minute when Diego Tamburus served a ball into the box and Marcus Hairston put a touch on it. However, the shot sailed over the net too keep the match scoreless.
Kentucky had a scoring opportunity of their own in the 42nd minute when a cross was headed towards goal by Mark Lavery, but Phillip Lamarre was there to make the save and send the match into the break with no score.
The Wildcats took the lead in the 56th minute on a goal by C.J. Tappel. After a ball was deflected by an FIU defender, Tappel volleyed the ball past Lamarre for his second score of the season.
Kentucky added another score in the 85th minute after a penalty kick was awarded. Philip Lamarre was called for a foul in the box when he made a play on the ball and Kentucky's attacker fell down in the process. Jason Griffinths pounded the ball into the top let corner of the net to make the score 2-0.
FIU could not muster any more scoring chances as the Wildcats held on for the victory. The loss drops FIU to 5-10-1 on the season and 0-6-1 in Conference USA action. Kentucky is 11-5 and 4-3 in the conference.
The Golden Panthers will close out their season on November 7 at 7 p.m. when they play SMU in Dallas.
