MIAMI (Oct. 15, 2021) – The No. 14 FIU men's soccer team hits the road to play an early morning contest against a Conference USA foe this Saturday, Oct. 16, when the Panthers take on the South Carolina Gamecocks.

First kick is set for 10:30 a.m. ET from Stone Field.

The match will be streamed live on Twitter. Live stats can be found  here.

MATCH PREVIEW
FIU owns a 7-1-2 record this season, including a 3-1-2 record on the road and a 2-0-1 record in C-USA play. The Panthers secured their sixth clean sheet of the season against No. 6 Kentucky last Sunday, Oct. 10, while battling to a scoreless draw against the Wildcats.

South Carolina is currently riding a four-game unbeaten streak, including three wins in the last four games. The Gamecocks are coming off a 3-1 victory over Georgia Southern on Oct. 12.

FIU has split its last two matches against South Carolina, as the Panthers shut out the Wildcats 3-0 in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 C-USA Tournament, before being edged by the Gamecocks 3-2 last season in Miami.

SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
South Carolina is led offensively by Logan Frost, who has collected 10 points on the season, including four goals and two assists. Senior Defender Josh Corning leads South Carolina in minutes played, with 1,026 logged in the backline.

Between the pipes, the Gamecocks have alternated Ryan Bilichuk and Tristan Himes, who have each started six games apiece. Bilichuk has started the last three games and allowed grabbed 12 saves on 35 shots faced while allowing three goals.

FIU BY THE NUMBERS
The Panthers recently achieved a No. 14 ranking in the Rating Percentage Index (RPI), which marks FIU's highest since the 2003 season.

FIU has also been ranked for six straight weeks in the USC Top-25 national poll and has climbed as high as No. 13 this season. The Blue & Gold stands as the highest-ranked program in the state of Florida, and one of three teams from Conference USA to be ranked in the national poll.

FIU ranks top in the nation in multiple statistical categories, including No. 4 nationally in shots-per-game (17.70) and No. 7 in the country in shutout percentage (.600). The Blue & Gold also ranks No. 17 nationally in win percentage (.800) and No. 21 in scoring offense (2.30 goals-per-game).
 
The Panthers lead all C-USA teams in shot attempts (177), while ranking second in points-per-game (6.70) and goals-per-game. FIU also ranks second in the conference in goals scored (23) and goals-against-average (.60).

Stephen Afrifa is currently leading C-USA in points-per-game (2), game-winning goals (2), and shots-per-game (4) during league play.

10 different Panthers have scored this season in what has been a truly balanced attack, with Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro (5), Stephen Afrifa (5), David Garcia (3), Kareem Riley (3), and Talla Faye (2) leading the way. FIU has seen a defender score in seven of its 10 contests this season, with Garcia, Riley, and Philip Hildebrandt (1) all contributing goals.

The center back duo of Garcia and Riley have anchored FIU's defense and lead the squad with 915 and 893 minutes played, respectively.

UP NEXT
The Panthers have a quick turnaround as they return home on Tuesday, Oct. 19, to host first-year C-USA member Coastal Carolina. First kick against the Chanticleers is set for 7 p.m. ET at FIU Soccer Stadium.

For more information on tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit here.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUMSoccer), Twitter (@FIUMensSoccer), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensSoccer) for all the latest Men's Soccer news. Follow all of FIU's athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).