MIAMI (October 15, 2016) – The 2016 season has certainly been a challenge offensively for FIU's Luis Betancur, but one thing that can't be said is that the senior forward doesn't have a flair for the dramatic. Betancur, who led the Panthers in scoring last season with 18 points (7g, 4a) and came into today's match at Marshall with just one goal for two points, scored what may be the biggest goal of the season to date, with 14 seconds left in double overtime to give FIU a thrilling 2-1 win in Huntington, West Virginia.

Coming off a hard-fought scoreless double overtime draw against South Carolina on Monday night, in what was one of its best performances of the season, the Panthers carried that effort over to Saturday and snapped a five-match winless streak.

Betancur's second goal of the season also marked his second significant goal with time running out this year. He also found the back of the net with two seconds left in regulation against No. 5 Charlotte on Sept. 24 to tie the match and send the contest into overtime. The 49ers, however, eventually handed the Panthers a 2-1 loss. Saturday's result was much sweeter.

"What an amazing feeling," said Betancur. "I saw that there was 30 seconds left on the clock. We won the ball back (from the defensive end) and I saw Esteban (Calvo) running so I played him. I sprinted from our box to the other box determined to score. I just had a feeling. I touched the ball, it bounced off the defender and I just hit it with 14 seconds left on the clock. It feels great to be back with my team and being able to contribute. It is a huge turnaround for us. A total team effort."

"I am very proud of the team's spirit and effort today," said FIU Head Coach Scott Calabrese. "To fight to the end and get all three points on the road against a very organized and determined Marshall team, it's a testament to the growing character and belief in each other. I am especially pleased to see so many players play in the match and contribute off the bench. With a good week of training I am excited to see us continue to improve. Friday (against Florida Atlantic) is now a very important conference match for us."

Luca Giovine got the Panthers on the board first with his first goal of the season, off an assist from Juan Benedetty in the 20^th minute. Giovine headed the pass from Benedetty from 10 yards out to the far side of the goal to give FIU a 1-0 lead.

It didn't take long for the Thundering Herd (6-8, 1-3 Conference USA) to even the game up at one apiece when Bryan Lopez-Mendez netted his second goal of the year. Marshall's Daniel Jodah served a pass it the middle of the six yard box and Lopez-Mendez put his right foot shot past FIU goalkeeper Arthur Clapot in the 29^th minute of play.

After the fast start during the first 29 minutes of the match, both teams settled down for the final 16 minutes of the first half, entering the intermission deadlocked at 1-1.

Marshall held a slight advantage in shots, 6-5, and shots on goal, 2-1, at the break.

FIU came out in the second half and got the upper hand offensively, outshooting the Herd 8-4 in the final 45 minutes of regulation and holding a 5-0 shots advantage on Marshall in the final 20 minutes.

Joris Ahlinvi had two of the five shots, one in the 77^th minute that went wide and the other in the 85^th minute that went just over the cross bar. Andrew Booth had a prime scoring chance for the game winner in the 89^th minute – with just 54 seconds left in regulation – a shot that was saved by Marshall net minder Trevor Clemens. Booth's opportunity was just FIU's second shot on goal of the match.

The shots were even during the two overtime sessions, 4-4, and Marshall threatened early in the 109^th minute but couldn't gain control of the ball just outside the 18 to get a good chance. FIU's defense stepped up and cleared the ball with the Panthers heading down the field. Ismael Longo got the ball on his foot and served up Betancur, taking the pass in the middle of the 18 and firing it past Clemens from 15 yards out to end the match.

FIU finished the day with a 17-14 shots advantage, despite the shots on goal being tied at three-all.

Clapot recorded two saves, logging his fourth win of the season.

FIU now returns home to close out the regular season with three-of-four on its home turf beginning with rival FAU on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. The match against the Owls is the first of two-straight at the FIU Soccer Stadium. The Panthers will close out the stretch when they welcome UCF to Miami for their final non-conference tilt of the season on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.

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 offer 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 $8.9 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 the Jewish 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, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.