LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Oct. 13, 2019) - The undefeated FIU men's soccer team continues to have an impressive season, as the Panthers toppled the 16th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats on the road by a score of 2-1 on Sunday night.
The No. 15 Panthers now improve to 9-0-3 on the season and a perfect 4-0 in Conference USA, while the Wildcats fall to 6-2-3 with a 1-1-1 mark in conference play. The win for FIU handed UK its first regular-season loss at home since Oct. 21, 2017 versus Lipscomb, while the two goals scored snapped a five-match shutout streak for the Wildcats.
"Very happy for the guys tonight." said Head Coach Kevin Nylen. "Kentucky is a top program in the country and going on the road and getting three points [in the conference] is not an easy task."
Strong defensive efforts were on display by both sides early in the match, before UK scored off a rebound in the six-yard box in the 26th minute to take a 1-0 lead. The resilient Panthers answered back immediately in the 27th minute, as they connected on a set piece service from Alban Rousselet. Rousselet sent a corner kick into the box for Andrew Booth who deflected the cross into the opposing net and gave FIU an equalizer with the score tied at 1-1.
In the final 45 minutes of play, the Panthers withstood an offering of eight shots from the Wildcats as UK attempted to find a go-ahead goal. FIU managed to only record one shot attempt through most the second period, but the Panthers stayed disciplined and continuously denied UK's chances until the Panthers found their golden opportunity in the final two minutes.
At the 88th minute mark and with time escaping, freshman Stephen Afrifa weaved through multiple Wildcat defenders into the opposing box and set up Mohamed Conde for the best moment of his FIU career. Conde crashed the six-yard area from the right side and fired a game-winning strike past the Wildcats' goalkeeper, giving the Panthers a 2-1 victory over No. 16 UK in thrilling fashion.
FIU now has three-consecutive matches with game-winning or tying goals after the 86th-minute mark. The Panthers beat FGCU last Tuesday on a golden goal in the 105th minute of double overtime, and the week prior FIU earned a 1-1 draw against Akron after an equalizing score in the 87th-minute of the match.
Conde earned the first goal of his FIU career against UK, and now has four points in 2019 after earning two assists against FGCU. Booth now ranks second overall in C-USA with 13 points and third overall with five goals. Rousselet earned his fifth assist of the year and leads FIU in the category, while Afrifa claimed his third assist of 2019. Gagliardi posted a season-high seven saves in the match.
"Great team effort tonight," said coach Nylen. "Now we prepare for Charlotte."
UP NEXT
FIU moves on to the marquee matchup of the 2019 schedule, as the Panthers host No. 5 ranked Charlotte on Friday, Oct. 18 in a clash of two undefeated C-USA squads. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at FIU Soccer Stadium.
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