WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FIU men's soccer team concluded their three-game road stretch with a resilient 0-0 draw against 16th-ranked Georgetown on Monday afternoon in the nation's capital.
The Panthers delivered an outstanding defensive performance, particularly in goal, as they held the Hoyas scoreless throughout the match. Sophomore goalkeeper Nigel Van Haveren registered nine crucial saves, all in the second half, to preserve the shutout.
FIU controlled much of the early play, outshooting Georgetown 7-3 in the first half. However, the Hoyas responded aggressively in the final 45 minutes, unleashing 20 shots. Van Haveren rose to the challenge, making several pivotal saves against the Big East contenders.
In the 52nd minute, Georgetown mounted a dangerous attack, but Van Haveren brilliantly denied forward Jack Heaps, followed by a rapid second save on midfielder Zach Zengue's shot just moments later. These critical saves were instrumental in maintaining the clean sheet and securing the draw.
Van Haveren's impressive performance brings his season total to 29 saves, currently the highest in the nation. The Nijmegen, Netherlands native also recorded his first shutout of the season and his third game with 5+ saves.
Despite a late surge from Georgetown, who gained a numerical advantage in the final 10 minutes after FIU defender Edgar Aguilar received a red card, the Panthers' defense remained unyielding, securing the 0-0 result.
Offensively, FIU tallied 11 shots, with forward Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro leading the charge with four attempts. Defender David Houja and midfielder Nicolas Villalobos also made significant contributions, playing the full 90 minutes in the fiercely contested match.
UP NEXT
FIU returns home on Wednesday, Sept. 11 for a matchup against #21 UCF. Kickoff from Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium 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.
