MIAMI – The FIU men's soccer continues their three-game road swing Thursday, Aug. 29 as they travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. for an evening matchup against #17 North Carolina.
Thursday, Aug. 29 at #17 North Carolina
- Time / Site: 7:30 p.m. ET at Dorrance Field
- ACC Network Extra
- Live Stats
- Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics
FIU looks to capture their first win of the 2024 season after dropping their first two matches to open the year. Following a season-opening loss to Seton Hall, the Panthers fell in it's road contest to Stetson this past Monday, Aug. 26, 1-0.
Holding the advantage in shots, 17-9, FIU rallied but were unable to score on the night with the Hatters eventually posting the game-winning goal in the 66
th minute.
Freshman
Ron Arie led the team in shots while
Diego Castillo and
Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro logged two shots each on Monday night.
In net, reigning AAC goalkeeper of the week
Nigel Van Haveren made four saves in net, posting his season total to 11 saves through two games. That included seven saves in the season-opener vs Seton Hall.
FIU prepares for its eighth all-time matchup against the Tar Heels. In their last matchup on Sept. 3, 2022, the Panthers prevailed in a 2-1 win in Chapel Hill as Stephen Afrifa scored the two goals in the victory. In the overall history, FIU and UNC are tied at three wins apiece.
WE'RE INTERNATIONAL, SO INTERNATIONAL!
FIU embraces its name with a truly international roster. This season's Panthers have players from 11 different countries.
The USA leads the way with seven players. Mexico each has six representatives, while France has four. Israel and Portugal, have two representatives each.
NEWCOMERS GALORE
FIU will have a lot of new faces on the roster in 2024 with a total of 13 newcomers.
That is led by sophomore goalie
Nigel Van Haveren that is expected to be a pivotal piece to the Panthers in the net.
Pittsburgh transfer
Mathys Lefebvre brings his high level experience in the midfield. Israeli
David Houja will be a key addition on the backline, both have each played full 90-minutes in each of the first two games.
On the attacking line NJIT transfer
Enrique Mutsoli has shown promise through preseason.
SCOUTING THE TAR HEELS
The #17 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels enter Thursday's contest with an 1-0-1 record, coming off a 0-0 draw vs California Baptist on Aug. 25.
North Carolina won its first game of the season in a 1-0 victory over UAB on Aug. 22.
Entering the year, the Tar Heels were slated to finish third in the ACC Preseason Poll after ending the 2023 season with 11 wins and a appearance in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight.
Offensively, Martin Vician has scored the lone goal of the season for North Carolina, having started and played in the first two matches. Vician logged 10 goals in 2023, tied for first on the team.
Defender Riley Thomas was named to the 2024 ACC Preseason Watch List after making 17 starts including playing a full 90 minutes in 13 matches in 2023. This season, Thomas has played all 90 minutes in each of the first two games.
In net, goalkeeper Andrew Cordes has started in both matches, having not allowed a single goal with a pair of saves on the season.
UP NEXT
FIU closes out their three-game road trip with a Labor Day matchup at #16 Georgetown on Monday, Sept. 2. Kickoff from Washington D.C. is set for 1 p.m. ET and can be streamed on FloFC.
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.
