MIAMI (Nov. 2, 2014) – The FIU men's soccer team (6-8-1, 2-5-0) battled but fell, 1-0, to the 16^th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats in a close senior day contest from the FIU Soccer Stadium on Sunday. A scoreless game approaching the 80^th minute, Kentucky's Justin Lard's intercepted pass off a goal-kick proved to be the difference maker.

The match was tight through the first 10 minutes, until senior Quentin Albrecht broke a shot-less half with a ball that missed wide in the 11^th minute. From there, Kentucky was able to apply pressure and get off two shots before the 20^th minute, with junior Robin Spiegel seeing his first test on a ball played near the left post in the 19^th minute of action.

FIU was able to regain the pace of the first stanza nearing the back end of the half, as sophomore Josue Espana was denied on a blocked shot in the 32^nd minute. Junior Daniel Gonzalez had FIU's next two opportunities, with his best look coming in the 38^th minute off a ball that the Wildcats' Irving Callum was able to stop. Senior Sean McFarlane had the last look of the half in the 41^st minute, but the chance fell wide.

Following a booking in Kentucky's Kristoffer Tollefsen in the 51^st minute, FIU got off two shots, first by redshirt freshman Donald Tomlinson in the 56^th minute. Albrecht followed with this third chance of the day in the 58^th minute, but Irving made a nice save to keep the Panthers at bay.

From there, it was all FIU as four of the next five shots were in favor of the Panthers, beginning with a saved header by Albrecht. McFarlane missed high in the 75^th minute, as did sophomore Jamar Campion-Hinds approaching the 78^th minute.

A fluke interception off a Panthers' goal kick in the 78^th minute put the Wildcats ahead for good. Laird was able to beat Spiegel on a breakaway to secure the victory.

Albrecht tried to find the equalizer in the 83^rd minute, but the ball fell just wide of the net. Two final looks by sophomores Ismael Longo and Deshawon Nembhard in the final three minutes of the game couldn't find the back of the net.

FIU closes out its season this Friday, as the Panthers travel to Old Dominion for a 7 p.m. start time.

Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUMensSoccer) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensSoccer) for all the latest Men's Soccer news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).

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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.

About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $9.8 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and theJewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visithttp://www.fiu.edu/.