MIAMI – The #25 ranked FIU Men's Soccer team is set for a pivotal AAC matchup taking on the #3 ranked SMU Mustangs this Sunday from FIU Soccer Stadium.
Sunday Oct. 8 vs. SMU Mustangs (8-1-1 3-0 AAC)
FIU comes off a fourth straight AAC win, taking down the UAB in a clean-sheet 1-0 victory this past Wednesday, Oct. 4.
FIU's 4-0 start marks the best start in AAC play in program history and sit atop of the AAC standings.
Junior
Eduardo Mustre scored the lone goal Wednesday, marking his fourth consecutive game with a goal, which is the most matches consecutive with a goal since Santiago Patino tallied for four in 2018.
In addition, goalkeeper
Tyler Hogan notched the shutout with a save over the Blazers.
The offense is led by Mustre, who leads the team in goals (7) and points (15) in his first season donning the Blue & Gold. The Córdoba, Mexico native is tied for first in the AAC in goals and second in shots.
Newcomer
Kasper Skraep has shined with a pair of goals on the season and five points.
Veterans
Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro and
Fumiya Shiraishi have been impactful with 39 shots combined on the early campaign.
On the backline,
Owen Travis leads the team on defense having played in a total of 879 minutes on the pitch.
In net, goalkeeper
Tyler Hogan has started in seven games with a 0.81 goals against average and totaled for 20 saves. In addition, his save percentage of .760 his second in the conference.
INTERNATIONAL
FIU embraces its name with a truly international roster. This season's Panthers have players from 15 different countries.
The USA leads the way with four players. Denmark, Mexico and France each have three representatives. Portugal, Japan and Germany have two representatives each.
LAST TIME OUT
Heading into Wednesday's contest, FIU has matched up with SMU ten times dating back to the 2006 season.
Last year, both teams faced off in Dallas as FIU dropped 6-4 to SMU on Sep. 23.
The Panthers last win over SMU came on Nov. 7, 2009 in a 2-1 victory on the road.
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
SMU comes into the contest as the #3 ranked team in the nation with an 8-1-1 record on the campaign, including a 3-0 record in the AAC.
The Mustangs are coming off a 1-0 shutout at home against the Charlotte 49ers this past Wednesday, Oct. 4.
Offensively, the SMU is led by Jelldrik Dallmann, who is leads the American and team with goals (8) in addition to points (17). Senior Jose Ortiz is second on the Mustangs with a pair of goals.
In net, Cole Johnson has started in all ten games with 26 saves and a 0.71 GAA, which is tops in the AAC. Johnson has also tallied for five shutouts this season.
UP NEXT
The Panthers stay home for the first of three consecutive non-conference matches beginning with the Saint Mary's Gaels on Saturday, Oct. 14
First kick from FIU Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m. and can be streamed 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 Men's Soccer news.
General athletic news can also be found at
@FIUSports on Facebook and
@FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
