MIAMI – The FIU men's soccer program heads to Philadelphia this Saturday, Oct. 26 for their final road contest of the season with an matinee affair at Temple.

Saturday, Oct. 26 at Temple (4-6-4 (1-2-2 AAC)

• Time / Site: 2 p.m. ET at Temple Sports Complex
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• Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics

With two games remaining, FIU (4-5-4, 2-2-1 AAC) sits in fifth place in the American Athletic Conference after falling to Florida Atlantic in a 2-1 decision this past Sunday, Oct. 20. The Panthers took the lead in the second half with a goal from Diego Castillo, but the Owls responded with two goals in a two-minute span late in the match to secure the win and three points.
 
As it stands, FIU and Florida Atlantic are tied with seven points, trailing third-place South Florida by two points. Charlotte and Memphis share the top spot with 10 points each.
 
The top six teams in the conference will advance to the American Championship, beginning Nov. 8, with the first seed hosting the semifinals and finals.
 
After facing Temple, FIU will conclude its regular season at home against Memphis on Friday, Nov. 1, in a crucial match that could have major seeding implications.
 
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 leads the AAC in shots (34) and is second in shots on goal (15). Dos Santos Monteiro has played 995 minutes this season, including five full 90-minute games.
 
Forward Nicolas Villalobos has also been a key contributor, tallying three goals and seven points over 1,005 minutes. Striker Michael Appiah has made an impact with three goals in 724 minutes across 13 appearances.
 
Defensively, David Houja has anchored the backline, logging a team-high 1,080 minutes and playing the full 90 minutes in 12 of FIU's 13 matches.
 
Senior defender Edgar Aguilar has started 12 matches and played 1,030 minutes this season, delivering 90-minute performances in the last eight games.
 
Senior Adrian Barosen has contributed two assists in 11 matches, while midfielder Joao Domingues has been ever-present, starting every game and logging 1,004 minutes. Castillo is tied for second on the team with six points, including two goals and two assists.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Nigel Van Haveren leads the AAC in saves (55) and ranks 27th nationally with an average of 4.23 saves per game. His goals-against average (GAA) stands at 1.24.
 
Goalkeeper Beltran Fernandez made his Panthers debut last Sunday against Florida Atlantic, recording one save in 81 minutes off the bench.
 
As a team, FIU ranks third in the AAC in scoring offense, averaging 1.3 goals per game, with 17 total goals this season.
 
HISTORY WITH TEMPLE
Saturday will mark the third meeting between FIU and Temple. The Panthers have won the last two matchups, including a 5-1 victory at home on Sept. 16, 2023, in which Dos Santos Monteiro and Mustre both found the back of the net.
 
In 2022, the Panthers secured a 3-0 shutout in Philadelphia on Oct. 5, with Dos Santos Monteiro netting a brace.
 
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Temple enters Saturday's match with a 4-6-4 overall record and a 1-2-2 mark in the AAC, including a 1-0 road win at UAB on Oct. 19.
 
The Owls sit in sixth place in the AAC with five points and are aiming to make the AAC Championship for the first time since the 2020 season, after being picked to finish seventh in the preseason poll.
 
Offensively, Temple is led by forward Xavier Rimpel, who has logged two goals and two assists in 13 games, including the game-winner at UAB. Midfielder Lukas Egarter ranks second on the team with four points and is tied for first in assists (2).
 
Graduate student Kemali Green leads the team in minutes played (1,154), having played in all 13 matches.
 
In goal, Flannan Riley has started seven games, recording 37 saves and a 1.57 GAA. His 5.29 saves per game leads the AAC.
 
UP NEXT
FIU closes out the regular season on Friday, Nov. 1 in a matchup vs Memphis. In addition, the Panthers will honor it's senior on Senior Night and recognize the men's soccer alumni for Alumni Night. Kickoff is set for 7 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.