MIAMI (Oct. 25, 2022) – Men's Soccer hosted in-state rival FGCU, Tuesday night, winning the hard-fought battle, 3-2.
 
The first half started off evenly matched before the Panthers jumped out in front in the 26th minute.
 
Yushi Nagao and Stephen Afrifa ran the two-man game to perfection with deft passes to each other to penetrate the Eagles defense before Afrifa slotted home his ninth goal of the season.
 
FIU would control the rest of the half, going into halftime ahead, 1-0.

FGCU equalized eight minutes into the second half after converting on a set piece opportunity.
 
The Panthers would retake the lead in the 72nd minute. After a Matthias Lavenant shot hit both posts, it would eventually fall to Afrifa who fed it Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro who then beat the keeper far post with a powerful shot.
 
The Eagles would once again find an equalizer, this time in the 80th minute but the Panthers would respond a minute later.
 
Julien Gastaldy made his way into the FGCU box and was taken down for a penalty. Bernardo stepped up to the spot and calmly converted the chance to put the Panthers ahead, 3-2.
 
The penalty would prove to be the match-winner as FIU picked up its fourth-straight victory over FGCU and pushed its series lead to 11-4.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers are back in action, Friday, October 28 when they hit the road to face No. 14 Charlotte in a crucial AAC match. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and the match can be watched live on ESPN+.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUMSoccer), Twitter (@FIUMensSoccer), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensSoccer) for all the latest Women's Soccer news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.