MIAMI (Sept. 6, 2021) – The No. 16 ranked FIU men's soccer team is back on the road to face an in-state foe on Tuesday, Sept. 7, when the Panthers battle the UNF Ospreys in Jacksonville.

First kick is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET from Hodges Stadium.

The match will be streamed live via SwoopLife Live. Live stats can be found here.

FIU is coming off a 1-0 shutout victory over No. 12 VCU in Miami last Saturday, marking the Panthers' third consecutive clean sheet victory to start the season. After its second victory over a Top-15 team, the Blue & Gold owns a perfect 3-0-0 record on the year and is nationally ranked in two major polls. The Panthers are the nation's 16th best squad according to CollegeSoccerNews.com, while FIU appeared at No. 24 in TopDrawerSoccer.com's most recent poll.

UNF has started the season 2-1-0 and is seeking back-to-back wins for the first time since Mar. 27, 2021. The Ospreys own wins this year against Georgia State (3-1) and Mercer (4-3, OT). UNF's lone loss comes against UCF (0-5), a team that FIU dominated by a score of 4-0 on Aug. 26. The Ospreys have not started the season with three wins through four games since the 2016 campaign.

SCOUTING THE OSPREYS
The Ospreys are led by true freshman Joaquin Acuna, who has recorded three goals this season. Acuna logged UNF's game-winners against both Georgia State and Mercer. Defenders LJ Estes and Herbie Steigelman have not subbed out of any match this season and lead UNF in minutes-played. As a team, the Ospreys have been out-shot by their opponents 39-29 this season, and have been outscored 9-7.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
FIU has posted a 2-1-1 record against UNF in the last four contests dating back to the 2017 season while outscoring the Ospreys 11-5 in those games. The Panthers dropped last season's contest against the Ospreys by a score of 0-1 in Miami, due in part to FIU receiving a red card in the game's 29th minute. FIU out shot UNF in that contest, 12-11, despite playing down a man. The Panthers lead the Ospreys 4-3-1 in the all-time series and own a 2-1 record against UNF at Hodges Stadium.
 
FIU BY THE NUMBERS
FIU is the only program in the country that has defeated two squads that were previously ranked Top-15. The Blue & Gold are the highest-ranked program in the state of Florida, and one of five teams from Conference USA to be either ranked or receiving votes.

The Blue & Gold defense has yet to allow a goal this season, posting three shutouts in as many games. FIU stands as one of 20 teams in the nation to start the year with a 3-0-0 record, and one of only three 3-0-0 teams that have yet to allow a goal.

An FIU defender has scored in every game this season, proving the Panthers' backline also has the ability to generate offense for the club. Center back David Garcia has five points on the season and leads the squad with two goals. Outside back Philip Hildebrandt is second on FIU with three points, including a goal and an assist.

Five different Panthers have scored goals this season in a very balanced offensive attack, with Rasmus Tobinski, Stephen Afrifa, and Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro all finding the back of the net.

UP NEXT
FIU returns to its home pitch this Sunday, Sept. 12, when the Panthers welcome UT Rio Grande Valley for a showdown at FIU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff against the Vaqueros is scheduled 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 athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).