CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 28, 2022) – Men's Soccer was on the road, Friday night, to take on No. 14 Charlotte, earning a crucial conference win, 3-2. The win moves the Panthers to the top of the America Athletic Conference table.
The match started out as a defensive struggle with neither side giving an inch.
Charlotte would break the deadlock in the 33rd minute.
FIU's offense started to open up as the first half wore on, creating multiple chances, but would go into halftime trailing, 1-0.
The Panthers came out with purpose in the second half, applying pressure throughout.
FIU found an equalizer in the 54th minute.
Yushi Nagao found space down the left wing and fired in a strong cross that was headed home by
Rasmus Tobinski, his first goal of the season.
The Panthers continued pouring on the pressure, eventually scoring a flurry of goals.
Carlos Scheckermann put FIU ahead in the 71st minute.
Julian Hodek put in a great corner kick ,which Scheckermann met in the air and redirected into goal.
Just a minute later the Panthers would score again.
Fumiya Shiraishi dribbled his way up to the face of the 49ers' goal and blasted his shot into the upper netting, giving FIU a 3-1 advantage.
75 seconds later, Charlotte scored again to bring the score to 3-2.
The Panther defense would hold strong against a last ditch attack by Charlotte and see the victory out.
Going into the final week of the regular season, FIU and Tulsa both own 5-2-1 records and sit atop The American standings. The Panthers defeated Tulsa earlier in the season, 3-0.
UP NEXT
The Panthers close out the 2022 regular season, Wednesday, November 2 against cross-town rivals FAU, with a chance to win the AAC on Senior Night. Kickoff at FIU Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET
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