MIAMI (Oct. 4, 2019) – After remaining undefeated and posting a third consecutive clean sheet against UAB last Saturday, the No. 13 ranked FIU men's soccer team now travels north to Ohio this Saturday, Oct. 5 for a road battle against the University of Akron.
The Panthers and Zips are scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff.
For the full game notes, click here.
ZIPS PREVIEW
Akron finished last season 15-7-2 overall, earning a 5-3-1 mark on their home pitch. The Zips have posted a 1-7 record thus far in the 2019 campaign, having recorded a 1-2 record at home.
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two soccer programs, as the Zips and the Panthers will square off on Saturday to break open the series.
ATOP THE NATION
FIU entered the sixth week of 2019 ranked second overall in the country in points (86), goals (29), and assists (28) behind only Clemson.
LEADING THE CONFERENCE
FIU ranks first in several C-USA offensive categories this season, including points, goals, assists, shots (134), goals-per-game (3.22), and assists-per-game (3.11). Alessandro Campoy and Caleb Franke are currently tied for second overall in C-USA with five goals this season. Campoy also ranks second in the conference for points (12), shots (24), and shots-per-game (3). Team Captain Inigo Sagarduy ranks third in C-USA in assists (4). Goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi ranks second in C-USA in shutouts (3), goals-against-average (0.85), and save percentage (.784), while also ranking third overall with 29 saves.
FIVE FOR FIVE
The FIU men's soccer team has won five C-USA weekly individual awards in as many weeks to start the season. Goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Sept. 30 after helping FIU post two clean sheets last week in wins over Stetson (2-0) and UAB (2-0). FIU has now shutout three consecutive teams dating back to the Panthers' 5-0 victory over Old Dominion on Sept. 21. Andrew Booth (9/2), Campoy (9/16), Franke (9/23), and Nick O'Callaghan (9/23) were previously tabbed C-USA Players of the Week.
DOIN' IT WITH DEPTH
FIU has seen production from a variety of their players to fuel a 7-0-2 start to the 2019 campaign, as 15 different Panthers have logged either a goal or an assist this season. 12 Panthers have logged a goal thus far in 2019, while 13 players have contributed an assist. An impressive total of 10 Panthers have logged both a goal and an assist. Those players include returning veterans Campoy, Sagarduy, Booth, Owen Green, Matias Barraza, Xavi Olmos Ferris, and newcomers Stephen Afrifa, Alban Rousselet, David Garcia, and Ronaldo Marshall.
NEWCOMERS MAKING IMPACT
Five first-year Panthers have contributed points for the team in 2019. Freshman Afrifa and senior transfer Rousselet each have eight points this season, with three goals and two assists apiece. Freshman Marshall has four points on the season, while fellow freshmen Garcia and Anthony Cousins, Jr. have three and two points, respectively.
LIVE STATS
Live stats for the match against Akron can be found here.
UP NEXT
FIU heads back to its home state of Florida next week for a road battle against FGCU on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Kickoff against the Eagles is set 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).
