CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The FIU men's soccer team is set for a round of 32 matchup in the NCAA men's soccer tournament when the Panthers face the Virginia Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon in Charlottesville, Virginia at 1 p.m. ET.
Sunday, Nov. 19 at #7 Virginia (NCAA Tournament Second Round)
Sunday's contest marks the 3
rd straight season FIU will appear in a second round match and it's 13rd appearance overall in the second round in program history.
FIU comes off a first-round victory at home this past Thursday, Nov. 16 as they shutout Mercer, 1-0, as senior
Simon Afrifa scored the lone goal in the 20
th minute to propel FIU to its 19
th NCAA first round victory in the history of men's soccer. The Panthers held the Bears to just ten shots as goalkeeper
Tyler Hogan netted four saves for his career-high fifth shutout of the campaign. It's the first NCAA tournament shutout since Nov. 16, 2017 when the Panther took down Omaha 2-0 in a first round matchup.
FIU was second in the American in goals and scoring offense, logging a total of 32 goals through 16 games. The offense is led by junior
Eduardo Mustre who leads the team in goals (11) and points (24) in his first season donning the Blue & Gold. The Córdoba, Mexico native was named to the All-Conference First Team after his standout campaign.
Forward
Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro has been impactful on the attacking line as the All-Conference Second Team Selection is second for the Panthers in goals (6), while logging a pair of assists in 17 matches. In addition, the junior has rattled off 38 shots on the pitch.
On the backline,
Owen Travis has been a force, leading the team in minutes (1588) while starting in all 18 games this season. The junior, who was also selected to the All-Conference Second Team has helped lead FIU to hold their opponents to 18 goals, which is the least amount given up since 1991.
The Blue & Gold appeared in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season as they won in a captivating match, ending in a penalty shootout against New Hampshire on Nov. 20.
ALL-TIME SERIES
FIU and Virginia are meeting for the second time in program history and only the first time in postseason play. The Panthers visited Charlottesville on Sep. 18, 2018 as the Panthers fell 2-0 on the road.
SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS
Virginia enters the NCAA tournament as the #7 seed after finishing the regular season 10-3-4 and a 5-2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference mark. The Cavaliers were placed as the third seed in the ACC tournament before losing in the quarterfinals to the Syracuse Orange on Sunday, Nov. 5
Virginia is led offensively by the ACC Freshman of the Year forward Stephen Annor, logging ten goals, including seven in ACC play. He is tied for seventh nationally with five game-winning goals. Midfielder Mouhameth Thiam was named the co-ACC Midfielder of the Year, netting a total of 14 points with five goals and four assists.
Between the pipes, goalkeeper Joey Batrouni has started in 10 games and posted a 0.78 goals-allowed-average with a .840 save percentage. Batrouni,has nabbed 42 saves and recorded four shutouts while allowing eight goals.
UP NEXT
If the Panthers defeat Virginia, they will move on to the Sweet 16 matchup for the second consecutive year and will match up with the winner of Indiana/#10 Wake Forest. Match is set for Sunday, Nov. 26 and time/location is TBD.
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.
