MIAMI (Aug. 14, 2019) - Andrew Booth of FIU men's soccer was selected to the Conference USA Preseason Team as voted on by the league's eight head coaches, as the conference announced the men's soccer preseason poll results on Tuesday.
Additionally, FIU was selected to finish fifth in the conference standings, behind No. 8 Kentucky, No. 21 Charlotte, Old Dominion, and Marshall, respectively. The Wildcats swept the preseason accolades heading into the 2019 campaign as Kalil ElMedkhar and Jason Reyes were named Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year, while Aimé Mobile was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
CONFERENCE USA
FIU has reached the postseason tournament in four consecutive years dating back to the 2015 campaign. In that season, the Panthers claimed their first C-USA title after defeating Marshall in the championship match.
NATIONAL SUCCESS
Since joining NCAA Division I in 1987, the Panthers have represented FIU in 10 NCAA Tournaments. The most recent appearances for FIU came in 2015, and in 2017 when they advanced to the second round after a defeat of Omaha in the opening round.
ANDREW BOOTH
Booth was an iron man for the Panthers in 2018, as he started 16 games while logging the second-most minutes on the team (1,477). In a September road victory over North Florida, Booth had a game-high five points and earned C-USA Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the match. Booth's three assists against UNF were most by any FIU player in a single game during the 2018 season. The Tamarac, Florida native finished first on the team in total assists (4), while finishing third in total points (8), goals (2), shots (23), and shots-on-goal (9). Booth was awarded C-USA Second Team honors last season following his stellar junior campaign in 2018.
TWO GAME HOME STAND TO START THE SEASON
The league's soccer season begins on Friday, August 30 when FIU hosts St. Bonaventure for a 7 p.m. ET kick at FIU Soccer Stadium. The Panthers will then welcome James Madison on Sunday, Sep. 1 at 7 p.m. to cap the opening weekend.
2019 C-USA Men's Soccer Preseason Team
Teddy Chaouche, Charlotte, Sr., MF
Elliot Panicco, Charlotte, R-Sr., GK
Andrew Booth, FIU, R-Sr., MF/D
Alonso Coello Camarero, Florida Atlantic, So., MF
*Kalil ElMedkhar, Kentucky, Jr., MF
Enrique Facusse, Kentucky, Jr., GK
^Aimé Mabika, Kentucky, R-Jr., D
*Jason Reyes, Kentucky, So., F
Daniel Corona, Old Dominion, So., F
Sebastien Hauret, Old Dominion, R-Sr., MF
Luca Mayr, South Carolina, Sr., MF/F
*Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year
^Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
2019 C-USA Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
(First-Place Votes)
1. Kentucky (5)
2. Charlotte (2)
3. Old Dominion
4. Marshall (1)
5. FIU
6. South Carolina
7. UAB
8. Florida Atlantic
As a reminder, season tickets for the 2019 FIU men's soccer season are now on sale. For more information, or to order your tickets by phone, please call (305) FIU-GAME.
Click Here To Purchase Season Tickets
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's 18 athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUAthletics).
