MIAMI – FIU men's soccer goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi (Plantation, Florida/St. Thomas Aquinas) has been named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week, for the week ending Oct. 7, the league announced on Monday. Gagliardi's honor is the third weekly honor for the Panthers this season joining Joris Ahlinvi (Gujan-Mestras, France), who was tabbed C-USA Co-Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 17, and Andrew Booth (Tamarac, Florida/University) earned Co-Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 24.  
 
Gagliardi continues to be impressive for FIU in goal. In his one match this week, Gagliardi earned the win against No. 4 Kentucky, knocking the Wildcats from the ranks of the nation's unbeaten, with a 3-2 victory. The win was the first for the Panthers over a top-five ranked team since Nov. 14, 2007 (W, 3-1 vs. No. 4 SMU in the C-USA semifinals).  Gagliardi made six saves on eight shots against the Wildcats to improve his record to 4-0 on the year and an impressive 10-1 for his career.
 
This season, Gagliardi has 24 saves, in his four matches, while holding a 1.90 goals-against-average and a .750 save percentage.
 
FIU now hits the road to face Charlotte on Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., looking for its fourth win in the last five matches. The Panthers then return home to take on C-USA rival Florida Atlantic on Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., and then close out non-conference play on Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. against USF.
 
For men's soccer ticket information, contact the FIU Ticket Office at 305-FIU-GAME or log onto www.FIUSports.com.
 
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