MIAMI – The FIU men's soccer hits the road Sunday night venturing out to Conway, Arkansas for a night matchup against Central Arkansas to continue non-conference action.

Sunday, Sept. 15 at Central Arkansas

• Time / Site: 8 p.m. ET at Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex
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• Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics 

The Panthers are coming off a thrilling 4-3 victory over 10th-ranked UCF this past Wednesday, September 11, at Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium The hard-fought win, marked by four lead changes and a total of seven goals, was secured by a dramatic second-half surge from the Panthers.
 
Offensively, FIU scored three of their four goals in the second half. Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro, Michael Appiah, and Nicolas Villalobos found the back of the net, while midfielder Diego Castillo sealed the win with a stunning free kick in the 65th minute, handing FIU an important victory over their in-state rivals.
 
This win represents FIU's 31st victory in their historic rivalry with UCF. It also ranks as the second-highest ranked win for head coach Kyle Russell, who has led the Panthers to previous victories over #10 Tulsa in 2022 and #1 Marshall in 2021.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Nigel Van Haveren continues to be a standout for the Panthers, currently recognized as one of the top goalkeepers in the nation.
 
With 33 saves through five games, Van Haveren holds a goals-against average of 1.60. In the match against UCF, he made five crucial saves, contributing to his national ranking, where he is tied for first in saves per game (6.60) and leads all goalkeepers in the American Athletic Conference.
 
FIU's attacking line is gaining momentum, with Dos Santos Monteiro leading the charge. He ranks third in the conference with 13 shots and fourth with six shots on target.
 
Meanwhile, Appiah, the team's leading goal scorer, has netted two goals in the last three matches, showing consistency for the Ghanaian forward. Villalobos, who logged his first goal for FIU during the UCF match, has been instrumental with three points and 90-minute performances in back-to-back matches.
 
On defense, freshman David Houja leads the team in minutes, playing every minute of FIU's first five matches (450 minutes total). Midfielder Joao Domingues has been a key playmaker, contributing an assist while consistently logging 75+ minutes in each game. Left-back Joackim Betina has also made an impact, with 340 minutes played across five games.
 
FIU now sets its sights on continuing their winning streak as they face Central Arkansas for only the second time in program history. The last meeting between the two teams on September 1, 2023, ended in a scoreless draw.
 
WE'RE INTERNATIONAL, SO INTERNATIONAL!
FIU's roster embodies its international identity, featuring players from 11 different countries.
 
The USA leads with seven players, followed by Mexico with six, and France with four. Israel and Portugal are also represented, each with two players.
 
SCOUTING THE BEARS
Central Arkansas enters Sunday's matchup with a 3-2 record, coming off a 2-0 road loss to Missouri State on Tuesday, September 10. The Bears are winners of two of their last three matches with shutout victories over Memphis and Oral Roberts.
 
The Bears were selected to finish fifth in the ASUN Preseason Poll after closing the 2023 season with a 4-9-4 record and a semifinal appearance in the ASUN Championship.
 
Offensively, Central Arkansas is led by Preseason All-ASUN forward Pietro Fontana, who has netted two goals in four matches, both coming in a brace performance against Memphis. Midfielder Kevin Ventura also has two goals, while Devonte Richards leads the team with three assists.
 
In goal, junior Javier Ramirez has been a formidable presence, playing all five matches and posting 32 saves and three shutouts. Ramirez ranks third in the nation in saves per game and recorded five saves in the loss to Missouri State.
 
UP NEXT
FIU prepares for AAC play this Friday, Sept. 20 as they take on the South Florida Bulls from Tampa. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and 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 Men's Soccer news.