Box Score ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 5, 2023) – The No. 7 ranked FIU men's soccer team was on the road Tuesday night for a showdown with in-state rivals No. 6 Central Florida, earning a hard fought, 2-2, draw.
 
Defender Kasper Skraep scored his second goal of the season, while Francesco Renzi opened his FIU account with a late-game equalizer.
 
The Knights would strike first after Lucca Dourado found space in the center of the Panther box and put his shot into the side netting to make the score 1-0.
 
Three minutes later the Panthers nearly equalized twice in a matter of seconds.
 
Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro hit a shot that took a deflection and crept past the far post, then Skraep redirected a ball into the bottom corner that was pushed away.
 
FIU's best chance of the half came in the 20th minute.
 
Dos Santos Monteiro dribbled past his defender on the left flank before whipping in a cross. Eduardo Mustre met the ball right in front of the UCF goal, but Knight's keeper Juanvi Mouz was able to push the shot over the cross bar at the last second.
 
The Panthers were unlucky, trailing at half time after putting three shots on target.
 
The Panthers continued to search for the equalizer in the second half, creating multiple scoring opportunities.
 
UCF's Betow Ydrach doubled his side's lead after slotting a free kick into the bottom corner in the 82nd minute.
 
Just 30 seconds later, Skraep would get FIU on the board. A long free kick by FIU goalkeeper Tyler Hogan was met by Owen Travis in the UCF box. His header has followed up by a Skraep header that ended up in the back of the net.
 
The Panthers found their equalizer in the 84th minute.
 
Fumiya Shiraishi created space at the top of the box but his effort was blocked. Renzi pounced on the loose ball and fired home his shot to make the score 2-2.
 
Both teams nearly scored winners in the dying second of the match, but it would end in a draw.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to FIU Soccer Stadium on Friday, September 8 to take on No. 24 New Hampshire. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the match 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 Women's Soccer news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.