MIAMI (Oct. 31, 2019) - The 13th-ranked FIU men's soccer team hits the road to play South Carolina on Friday night, as the undefeated Panthers look to gain important points in the Conference USA standings.

FIU is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff against the Gamecocks.

For the full game notes, click here.

USC PREVIEW
USC has posted a 6-8-2 record thus far in the 2019 campaign, including a 1-5 record in Conference USA. The Gamecocks have been very successful at home this season, as they boast a 6-2-2 record with three overtime victories and a 17-10 goal advantage against their opponents. USC sits in last place in the C-USA standings with three points, yet the Gamecocks still have postseason hopes and are currently fighting for a seed in the conference tournament.

HIGH STAKES FOR FIU
FIU is fighting for a chance to clinch a top-two seed in the C-USA tournament, as they currently sit in second place with a total of 13 conference points. A win against the Gamecocks would ensure FIU a top-two seed in the tournament and an automatic first-round bye.

INSIDE THE SERIES
FIU trails USC 1-14-5 in the all-time series dating back to the 1987 season. The Panthers lone victory against the Gamecocks came on Oct. 14, 2017, when FIU defeated USC by a score of 5-2 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Panthers fell to the Gamecocks last year on Nov. 11 in Miami, as USC defeated FIU by a score of 3-2 in the last game of the 2018 regular season.

AMONG THE NATION'S BEST 
FIU enters the matchup ranking top-five in multiple offensive categories. The Panthers are third overall in the country in assists-per-game (2.71) and fourth in total assists (38), while also ranking fourth overall in points-per-game (8) and fifth in total points (112). Additionally, the Panthers are ranked fifth nationally in scoring offense (2.64) and sixth in total goals (37).

C-USA STANDOUTS
FIU ranks first in several C-USA offensive categories this season, including points, goals-per-game, assists, and assists-per-game. The Panthers also rank second in the conference in total goals and third in shot attempts (193). Alessandro Campoy currently ranks second in C-USA with 2.73 shots-per-game and third with 30 total shots. Goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi ranks first in C-USA with 54 saves and second with a 0.794 save percentage.

DEEP PANTHER PACK
FIU has seen productive play throughout the roster to fuel a 9-0-5 record in the 2019 campaign. Seventeen different Panthers have logged either a goal or an assist this season. Fifteen Panthers have logged a goal thus far, while 14 players have contributed an assist. An impressive total of 12 Panthers have logged both a goal and an assist. Those players include returning veterans Campoy, Andrew Booth, Nick O'Callaghan, Inigo Sagarduy, Matias Barraza, Owen Green, Xavi Olmos Ferris, Mohamed Conde, and newcomers Stephen Afrifa, Alban Rousselet, David Garcia, and Ronaldo Marshall. 

FOLLOW LIVE
Live stats for the match against USC can be found here. A live stream for the match can be found here.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will close out the 2019 regular season in front of their home crowd next Friday, Nov. 8, when they host No. 20 Marshall at FIU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff against the Thundering Herd is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

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. Follow all of FIU's18 athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUAthletics).