MIAMI – The FIU men's soccer team returns home on Friday, Oct. 19, for the first of two-straight matches, beginning when Florida Atlantic makes the short trip down Interstate 95 to face the Panthers. First touch is slated for 7 p.m. Friday is also the third of four matches, out of five, that the Panthers will play at home.
 
FIU PANTHERS
5-7-0 (4-1 C-USA)
Last Game: Oct. 14 vs. RV Charlotte, L, 3-0
Next Game: Oct. 23 vs. USF, 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Kevin Nylen
Career Record: 17-9-4 (Second season)
at FIU: Same
 
FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS
2-8 (1-3 C-USA)
Last Game: Oct. 13 vs. UAB, L, 2-1 (2ot)
Next Game: Oct. 23 at Jacksonville, 7 a.m.
Head Coach: Joey Worthen
Career Record: 4-22 (Second season)
at Florida Atlantic: Same
 
Click here for FIU-Florida Atlantic match notes
Click here to watch live on CUSA TV
 
QUICK HITS
- FIU comes into its match-up with FAU dominating the all-time series, holding a commanding 33-5-2 series lead ... The Panthers have won their last four matches against the Owls and eight of their last 10 (8-1-1).
 
- FIU had its 17-match Conference USA regular season unbeaten streak snapped with its 3-0 loss at Charlotte on Oct. 14 ... Prior to their setback, the Panthers' last loss was a 4-1 decision at New Mexico on Sept. 30, 2016 ... Coming into its match with FAU, FIU has won 17 of its last 18 C-USA tilts, and 18 of its last 20 since the beginning of 2016.
 
- FIU's 3-2 win over No. 4 Kentucky was the Panthers' first over a team ranked in the top five since a 3-1 victory over No. 4 SMU in the Conference USA Tournament semifinals on Nov. 14.
 
- Over the last five matches, FIU has had five players record its 13 goals during the stretch ... Santiago Patino (6g), Andrew Booth (2g), Talla Faye (first career), Owen Green (first career), Joris Ahlinvi (2g), and Matias Barraza, have all found the back of the net ... In comparison, in the first seven matches, only three players - Ahlinvi (3g), Patino (4g) and Nick O'Callaghan, recorded goals.
 
- Santiago Patino is currently tied for second in goals scored (10) and is second in goals-per-game (0.83), and is third in Conference USA in points with 21 (10g, 1a), and points-per-game (1.75) ... Joris Ahlinvi is tied for sixth in goals with four (5) and in points (12), is sixth in points-per-game (1.00), and fifth in goals-per-game (0.42).
 
- Patino has tallied all 21 of his points (10g, 1a) in seven of his last 10 matches ... He recorded his third multi-goal match of 2018 - his second-straight - and the 10th of his career, with two scores at New Mexico on Sept. 29.
 
FLORIDA ATLANTIC PREVIEW
Florida Atlantic comes into its match at FIU with a 2-8 record and a 1-3 mark in Conference USA ... The Owls are coming off a 2-1 double-overtime loss against UAB ... FAU has dropped its last five matches and have been outscored 13-4 during that stretch ... Pena Gonzalo leas the Owls in scoring with five points (2g, 1a) while Alex Alexis has four points (2g).
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
FIU comes into its match-up with FAU dominating the all-time series, holding a commanding 33-5-2 series lead ... The Panthers have won their last four matches against the Owls and eight of their last 10 (8-1-1) ... FIU has outscored the Owls 14-3 in its last four matches and 26-6 in its last 10 meetings.
 
LAST TIME OUT
FIU could have had sole possession of first place in Conference USA, instead it had its 17-match C-USA regular season unbeaten streak snapped as Charlotte handed the Panthers a 3-0 loss on Oct. 14 ... FIU recorded its second fewest shots of the season on Sunday with eight, while giving up a season-high 22 shots ... In addition, Charlotte held a 7-3 advantage in shots in goal and a 9-2 margin in corner kicks ... Santiago Patino and Jacques Bouvery each had a team-high two shots for the Panthers in the loss ... Daniel Gagliardi had four saves on the night.
 
PATINO & AHLINVI EARN PRESEASON MAC HERMANN TROPHY AND C-USA HONORS
FIU standouts Santiago Patino and Joris Ahlinvi were named to the Preseason MAC Herman Trophy Watch List along with being named Preseason All-Conference USA ... Patino and Ahlinvi are two of just 32 players nation-wide to be named to the watch list, while FIU is one of just two schools to have multiple players listed (Portland) ... Patino, the reigning C-USA Offensive Player of the Year from 2017, was tabbed as the 2018 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year ... Ahlinvi was named to the Preseason All-C-USA team ... He was also tabbed a First Team All-C-USA selection in 2017.
 
PANTHERS TABBED TO WIN C-USA IN PRESEASON POLL
FIU was voted by the league's head coaches to finish first in this year's preseason coaches' poll ... FIU received four first place votes ... Last season the Panthers were 6-0-2 in Conference USA play and won their first C-USA regular season title.
 
A LOOK AHEAD
The Panthers close out non-conference play on Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. against USF when the Bulls visit the FIU Soccer Stadium ... FIU then faces Old Dominion on Oct. 28 (7 p.m.) before returning home for Senior Night on Nov. 2 against South Carolina (7 p.m.).
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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.
 
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