BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Sept. 28, 2019) - The No. 16 ranked FIU men's soccer team took care of business on the road in Alabama on Saturday night, as they handled UAB by a shutout score of 2-0 to remain undefeated and earn their third conference win of the season.
The Panthers now improve to 7-0-2 on the season, while the Blazers fall to 1-6-1.
FIU controlled the tempo in the opening period as they dominated possession heavily and continuously put pressure on the opposing net in the first 45 minutes of play. The Panther attack was able to fire away 10 shot attempts in the opening half alone — including six on-goal — while also earning five corner kicks in the period. UAB was able to keep the score at null-null for a while despite the Panthers consistently getting into the final third with ease, but in the 38th minute Alban Rousselet was able to finally sink one into the back of the Blazers' net and give FIU a 1-0 lead. The Panthers led the Blazers 10-2 in the shot margin at the break, with FIU facing only one shot-on-goal.
The second half saw Rousselet add to the Panther lead in the 56th minute, after freshman Anthony Cousins, Jr. sent a pass from the far endline into the UAB box to set up Rousselet for his second scoring strike of the night. The Panthers added three more shots in the second half while allowing the Blazers only two shots-on-goal, as the FIU defense put the clamps on UAB and stayed disciplined with the ball to protect their 2-0 lead the rest of the way.
The clean sheet victory for FIU marks the third shutout effort for the Panthers in as many games, after recently taking down Old Dominion (5-0) and Stetson (2-0). Goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi earned the win in the box for FIU, and recorded three saves on the night to help in the clean effort.
Rousselet notched the brace for the first two-goal output of his FIU career, as he led with a game-high four points. The senior transfer now has eight points total in 2019 and is tied with freshman Stephen Afrifa for most points of all FIU newcomers. Cousins, Jr. logged the second assist of his Panther career and now has two points on the season. Afrifa led the Panthers with four shot attempts on the night, while Alessandro Campoy, Rousselet, and Afrifa all recorded a game-high of two shots-on-goal.
After earning their third C-USA victory of the year, the Panthers now hold nine points in the conference standings and sole position of first place.
UP NEXT
FIU continues a four game road stretch next Saturday, Oct. 5, when they travel to Ohio to face Akron University in a non-conference battle. Kickoff against the Zips is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
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