MIAMI (Sept. 25, 2019) - The FIU men's soccer program continues to earn national recognition, as on Tuesday, Sept. 24 the United Soccer Coaches announced FIU as No. 16 in their latest NCAA Division 1 Top-25 poll.

The release comes for the Panthers after they entered the rankings at No. 22 in the United Soccer Coaches' third poll a week prior on Sept. 17.

"They've done a good job up to this point," said Head Coach Kevin Nylen. "But still staying humble and hungry. Thats the M.O. — keep getting better every day as a group."

FIU has started the 2019 season undefeated with a 6-0-2 record, defeating two Conference USA foes along the way and picking up six points in the C-USA standings. The Panthers entered the 2019 season with zero votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, but immediately received 23 votes in the season's first poll after an impressive opening weekend in which they went 2-0. The Panthers routed St. Bonaventure by a whopping score of 5-1 in their opening match, and then proceeded to turn heads by taking down No. 17 ranked James Madison University by a score 3-1 — a team that now stands at No. 20 in the current polls.

Since then, FIU has earned victories over Seton Hall (2-1), Florida Atlantic (6-1), Old Dominion (5-0), and Stetson (2-0). After demolishing conference rival FAU on Saturday, Sept. 21, the Panthers made their first appearance in the rankings at No. 22.

As a group, FIU entered the fifth week of the season leading C-USA in several offensive categories, including points (75), goals (25), goals-per-game (3.57), assists (25), assists-per-game (3.57), and shots (111). Additionally, FIU entered this week ranked second overall in the nation in points, goals, and assists behind only Clemson. 

The FIU defense has performed admirably as of late, posting two consecutive clean sheets in their most recent matchups against Old Dominion and Stetson. Goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi also ranks second in C-USA for saves (26), save-percentage (.765), and goals-against-average (0.95).

For a team that was predicted to finish fifth this year in the C-USA preseason poll — as voted by the league's eight head coaches — the FIU men's soccer program seems to already be exceeding expectations as the 2019 campaign nears its midway point.

The most challenges times are still ahead for FIU, as they now begin a stretch of four consecutive games on the road, including tough matchups against Florida Gulf Coast — a team receiving votes that was previously ranked — and No. 22 Kentucky. The Panthers then return home on Friday, Oct. 18 to face No. 11 Charlotte in a C-USA showdown.

"There are no easy games, we tell our guys one game at a time," said Nylen after his team's win over Stetson. "We get back to it tomorrow in preparation for UAB, and that's all we're focused on. Doing our job."

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