MIAMI – The FIU men's soccer program returns home for a crucial in-state conference clash against the Florida Atlantic Owls this Sunday night at 7 p.m. kick.

Sunday, Oct. 20 vs Florida Atlantic (4-4-3 (1-2-1 AAC)

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. ET at Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium
• ESPN+
• Live Stats
• Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics

With three games remaining in the regular season, FIU (4-4-4, 2-1-1 AAC) heads back into American Athletic Conference (AAC) play after a 1-1 non-conference draw against VCU on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Forward Eduardo Mustre found the back of the net for his first goal of the season, making a significant impact in his first start since Aug. 22.
 
FIU currently sits in third place in the AAC standings with seven points, just behind Charlotte and Memphis. The Panthers battled to a hard-fought draw in their last conference match against Charlotte on Oct. 12. Following Sunday's contest with FAU, FIU will face Temple (Oct. 26) and Memphis (Nov. 1), with a potential regular-season title on the line.

The Panthers are unbeaten in eight of their last nine matches, dating back to Sept. 2.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Nigel Van Haveren continued his stellar form in the draw against VCU, making five crucial second-half saves and finishing the game with six total stops. Van Haveren's season tally now stands at 53 saves, leading the AAC and ranking 17th nationally with an average of 4.42 saves per game. His goals-against average (GAA) sits at 1.25. The sophomore earned his third AAC Goalkeeper of the Week honor last  Monday.
 
Senior forward Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro has been the focal point of FIU's offense, tying for the team lead with three goals and seven points. He tops the AAC in both shots (32) and shots on goal (14), playing 945 minutes, including five full 90-minute games.
 
Forward Nicolas Villalobos has been another key contributor, also tallying three goals and seven points across 933 minutes. Striker Michael Appiah has made an impact with three goals in 693 minutes over 12 appearances.
 
Defensively, David Houja has anchored the backline, logging a team-high 990 minutes and playing the full 90 minutes in 11 of FIU's 12 matches. Senior defender Edgar Aguilar played a vital role in the draw against Charlotte, logging a full 90 minutes and earning a spot on the AAC Weekly Honor Roll. Aguilar has started 11 matches and played 940 minutes this season, delivering 90-minute performances in the last seven games.
 
Senior Adrian Barosen has contributed with two assists in 11 matches, while midfielder Joao Domingues has been ever-present, starting every game and logging 932 minutes. As a team, FIU ranks second in the AAC in scoring offense, averaging 1.3 goals per game, with 16 total goals on the season.
 
HISTORY WITH THE OWLS
Sunday's match will be the 42nd meeting between FIU and FAU, dating back to 1984. The Panthers have won 31 of the previous encounters. Last season, however, Florida Atlantic won both matchups, including a victory in the AAC Championship.
 
FIU's most recent victory over FAU came on November 2, 2022, in a 1-0 shutout to secure the AAC Regular Season Title.
 
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Florida Atlantic enters Sunday's match with a 4-4-3 record (1-2-1 AAC), riding the momentum of two consecutive victories. The Owls defeated Florida Gulf Coast 3-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 15, and earned their first AAC win with a 3-1 triumph over South Florida on Oct. 11. They currently sit sixth in the AAC standings with four points.
 
Offensively, FAU is led by senior forward Mamadou Diarra, who has scored five goals and added four assists in 11 matches. Forward Noah Kvifte has also netted five goals, and both players are tied for the conference lead in goals scored. Aboubacar Traore has provided a team-high seven assists, including three in the last two matches.
 
Senior goalkeeper Nacho Alfaro has started 10 of FAU's 11 matches, registering 30 saves and a 1.25 GAA. He made two saves in the win over South Florida.
 
UP NEXT
FIU hits the road for a final time in the regular season serving a trip to Philadelphia, Pa. taking on the Temple Owls on Saturday, Oct. 26. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.

BAPTIST HEALTH
Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics
 
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.