MIAMI (Sep 13. 2019) - Fresh off an undefeated start to begin the 2019 season, the FIU men's soccer team will begin the Conference USA portion of the schedule against their in-state rivals, as they take on FAU this Saturday in Boca Raton, Florida.
The Panthers and Owls are set to face off at 7 p.m. ET from FAU Soccer Stadium.
For full game notes, click here.
FAU Preview
The Owls finished 2-14 last season with a 1-7 record at home. So far this season, FAU has posted a 2-1 record in its first three games, already matching 2018's win total. The Owls have faced two foes that FIU has also seen this year, as FAU posted a win over James Madison to start the season on Aug. 30, and then defeated Jacksonville earlier this week on Sep. 10.
INSIDE THE SERIES
FIU has dominated the all-time series over FAU by a record of 34-5-2. The Panthers have won their last five meetings against the Owls, including a 3-2 double OT victory last season on Oct. 19 in Miami. FIU has also won nine out of their last 11 games against FAU, going 9-1-1 within that span.
TEAM EFFORT
FIU has seen production from a variety of its players to fuel a 2-0 start to the 2019 campaign, as thirteen different Panthers have logged either a goal or an assist in the season's first four matches. 10 Panthers have logged a goal thus far, while nine players have contributed an assist. Additionally, a total of six Panthers have logged both a goal and an assist. Those players including veterans Andrew Booth, Owen Green, Inigo Sagarduy, Matias Barraza, Xavi Olmos Ferris, and senior transfer Alban Rousselet.
IMPACTFUL NEWCOMERS
FIU is gaining great contributions from its pool of newcomers, as three first-year Panthers have contributed goals for the team in 2019. Senior transfer Alban Rousselet scored in FIU's 3-1 victory over No. 17 ranked James Madison during the season's opening weekend, and also contributed two assists last Friday, Sep. 6 against Jacksonville. Freshman phenom Stephen Afrifa has found the back of the net in three consecutive games for FIU, which brings his point total to a team-leading six. Afrifa's three goals currently lead FIU, while Rousselet leads the Panthers with four assists. Freshman David Garcia also logged his first Panther points after scoring in the match against Jacksonville.
BOOTH BREAKING OUT
Booth's excellent performance in the season's opening week earned him recognition of C-USA Offensive Player of the Week, for the week ending in Sep. 1. The senior standout also collected College Soccer News National Team of the Week honors after he helped propel the Panthers to a 2-0 start in 2019. Booth is currently tied for the team-lead with six points, including two goals and two assists.
LIVE STATS
Live stats for this weekend's match versus FAU can be found here.
UP NEXT
After battling the conference rival FAU Owls in Boca Raton, the Panthers will return home for a showdown against another in-state foe, when they host North Florida in Miami on Tuesday, Sep. 17 at FIU Soccer Stadium. Game time versus the Ospreys 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's 18 athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUAthletics).
