MIAMI – The FIU men's soccer kicks off a two-game homestand on Sunday with a conference matchup against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, while also hosting its annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Night.

Sunday, Sept. 29 vs Tulsa (1-6-1 (0-1 AAC)

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

FIU (2-4-2) is back at home after completing their second three-game road trip of the season with a 1-1-1 record. The Panthers secured a victory over Central Arkansas and earned a hard-fought draw against No. 16 SMU in Dallas on Wednesday, Sept. 25. FIU took an early lead in that match thanks to a 7th-minute penalty kick from Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro, before SMU equalized in the 40th minute, with the game ending in a well-contested draw.
 
FIU has remained unbeaten in four of their last five matches, which includes a notable victory over No. 10 UCF and a draw against No. 16 Georgetown. The Panthers are preparing to resume American Athletic Conference (AAC) play, with six of their final seven matches taking place within the conference. FIU opened AAC play on Sept. 20 in Tampa, where they were narrowly defeated by the South Florida Bulls in a 1-0 contest.
 
Four of the six remaining AAC games will be played at Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium. Over the last two seasons in the AAC, the Panthers have achieved an impressive nine home conference victories.
 
Senior forward Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro continues to lead the Panthers' offense. He is tied for the team lead with three goals and tops the squad in shots (22) and shots on goal (11), which also leads the AAC. Monteiro has been in exceptional form, scoring in three of the last four matches, including two penalty kicks during this stretch. He has logged 637 minutes of play across eight matches, with three consecutive full 90-minute performances.
 
Another offensive standout is forward Michael Appiah, who has contributed three goals and six points, ranking second on the team.
 
Defensively, freshman David Houja leads the team in minutes played, having completed every minute of FIU's seven matches (720 minutes total). Midfielder Joao Domingues has been a consistent force, averaging over 75 minutes per game and contributing one assist. Midfielder Nicolas Villalobos has started all eight matches, recording one goal and one assist over 626 minutes.
 
In goal, Nigel Van Haveren has started all eight matches for FIU, making 38 saves—leading the AAC and ranking 12th in the nation. In the recent contest against No. 16 SMU, Van Haveren added two more saves to his tally.
 
Sunday's match will mark the 14th meeting between FIU and Tulsa. The Panthers are unbeaten in their last two encounters with the Golden Hurricane, including a 2-2 draw in Oklahoma on Nov. 1, 2023 and a commanding 3-0 victory in 2022 in Miami in the previous home match.

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 GOLDEN HURRICANE
 Tulsa enters Sunday's matchup with a 1-6-1 record, having dropped their last three matches including a 2-1 loss to Memphis in their AAC opener on Sept. 20. The Golden Hurricane's sole victory this season came on Sept. 1, when they defeated Cal Poly 2-1.
 
Defender Camilo Vargas leads Tulsa in both goals (2) and points (5). Forward Clement Badger has featured in all of Tulsa's matches, adding a goal to his name. On defense, Luke Adams has started every match and played every minute this season (720 total).
 
In goal, Alex Lopez, the AAC Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, has started five matches, recording 19 saves and posting a 2.20 goals-against average while allowing 11 goals.

UP NEXT
FIU closes out the two-game homestand next Saturday, Oct. 5 for a AAC matchup vs the UAB Blazers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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