MIAMI (Oct. 18, 2021) – The No. 14 ranked FIU men's soccer team returns to its home pitch this Tuesday, Oct 19, when the Panthers welcome first-year Conference USA member Coastal Carolina to FIU Soccer Stadium.

First kick is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

The match will be streamed live on CUSA-TV. Live stats can be found here.

MATCH PREVIEW
FIU owns an 8-1-2 record this season, including an undefeated 4-0 record at home, and a 3-0-1 record in C-USA play. FIU is coming off a decisive 4-1 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road last Saturday (Oct. 12). The Panthers are currently riding a five-game unbeaten streak.

CCU has posted a 3-3-4 record on the year, including a 2-0-4 record in C-USA play and a 1-1-2 mark on the road. The Chanticleers defeated Charlotte (1-0) in their last contest on Oct. 12. CCU has yet to lose in C-USA play this season but has settled for draws in four different games.

Tuesday's matchup between the Panthers and Chanticleers will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The contest will feature plenty of familiar faces for FIU head coach Kyle Russell, who played collegiately at CCU and served on the coaching staff for 10 seasons prior to joining the Blue & Gold.

SCOUTING THE CHANTICLEERS
CCU is led offensively by forward Alvaro Garcia-Pasqual, who has recorded 9 points on the season, including four goals and one assist. 11 different Chanticleers have logged points this season. Senior Defender Nicholas Itopoulos leads CCU with 10 games started and 868 minutes played.

Between the pipes, the Chanticleers have alternated between Joey Batrouni and Leon Schmidt. Batrouni has started more games, with eight to Schmidt's two. Schmidt started in CCU's last contest against Charlotte and posted a clean sheet with three saves on five shots faced. Schmidt has logged a .789 save percentage this year to go with a 0.79 goals-against-average.

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 seven 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 stands top in the nation in several statistical categories, including No. 1 in the nation in shots per game (17.91) and No. 3 in shots-on-goal per game (7.91).

Additionally, the Panthers rank No. 9 in goals-against-average (.609), No. 10 in goal differential (20), and No. 11 in shutout percentage (.545). FIU is also No. 12 nationally in both win percentage (.818) and points-per-game (7.18), while the Panthers rank No. 13 in scoring offense (2.45 goals-per-game), and No. 22 in assists-per-game (2.27).
 
The Panthers lead all C-USA teams in total shot attempts (197), goals (27), and points-per-game. FIU also ranks second in the conference in total assists (25) and goals allowed (7).

Stephen Afrifa is currently leading C-USA in points-per-game (2), game-winning goals (2), shots-per-game (4.25), and shots-on-goal (2.25) per game during league play.

10 different Panthers have scored this season in what has been a truly balanced attack, with Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro (6), Stephen Afrifa (6), David Garcia (3), Kareem Riley (3), and Talla Faye (3) leading the way. FIU has seen a defender score in seven of its 11 contests this season, with Garcia, Riley, and Philip Hildebrandt (1) all contributing goals.

The center back duo of Riley and Garcia have anchored FIU's defense and lead the squad with 983 and 955 minutes played, respectively.

UP NEXT
FIU plays its second home contest of the week this Friday, Oct. 22, when the Panthers welcome ODU on Alumni Night at FIU Soccer Stadium. Game time against the Monarchs is set for 7 p.m. ET.

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).