CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The No. 4 seed FIU men's soccer program is set to take on No. 2 seed Florida Atlantic in the 2025 American Conference Championship Match this Saturday evening in Charlotte, N.C.

Saturday, Nov. 15 at No. 2 Florida Atlantic (11-3-2)

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. ET at Transamerica Field
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• Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics

The Panthers (7-8-3) make their second straight appearance in the championship match and third in the last four seasons since joining the American Conference in 2022.

With a victory, FIU would capture its second American Conference title and secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons under head coach Kyle Russell.
 
FIU advanced to the championship following a dramatic 11–10 penalty shootout win over top-seeded Charlotte on Wednesday, Nov. 12. After 110 minutes of scoreless play, the Panthers triumphed in 12 rounds as senior Eduardo Mustre buried the decisive penalty kick to send FIU to the final.

The match marked FIU's first shootout since Nov. 20, 2022, when the Panthers also prevailed in 12 rounds against New Hampshire in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Last season, FIU fell to Charlotte in a 2–1 overtime loss in Memphis, Tenn., but previously earned the 2022 conference championship with a 2–0 victory over South Florida in Miami.
 
Mustre continues to pace the FIU attack, leading the team with six goals, 13 points, and 30 shots through 14 matches. The fifth-year senior earned Second Team All-Conference honors—the second postseason all-league recognition of his career—and has logged 90-minute efforts in each of the last three contests, including three shots in the semifinal win over Missouri State.
 
Freshman Johan Helan, a 2025 All-Freshman Team selection, has appeared in all 18 matches (16 starts), contributing three goals and six points, including an 88-minute effort in Wednesday's semifinal.
 
Pasquale Capriati ranks second on the team with four goals and three assists in 15 matches, while Joao Domingues sits second in the American Conference with five assists—four in league play—and has recorded a helper in three of his last seven appearances. David Boccuzzo has been a steady presence, starting 16 of 18 matches while adding one goal and two assists.
 
Defensively, Alfonso Gilleard-Soriano anchors the backline, starting 16 of 17 matches and leading the team in minutes played (1,408). The senior logged a 110-minute effort in the semifinal win over Charlotte and has recorded 11 matches with at least 90 minutes played. He scored the game-winning goal in the first round vs. Missouri State on Nov. 8.
 
Owen Travis, a two-time Second Team All-Conference selection, has also been vital, ranking second on the team in minutes (1,402) with 16 starts, two goals, and one assist. Travis played all 110 minutes against Charlotte and has registered 12 matches with 90 or more minutes.
 
In goal, Nigel Van Haveren has been a steady force, recording six saves in the semifinal win over Charlotte and adding two pivotal stops in the penalty shootout. The junior has started 15 matches this season, totaling 51 saves and five shutouts, ranking second in the conference in total saves.
 
As a team, FIU ranks second in the American Conference in shots (209) and sits top-four in points (97) and assists (26).

HISTORY WITH FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Saturday's championship marks the first-ever meeting between FIU and Florida Atlantic in an American Conference final and the third postseason matchup between the programs since 2023. Each team has claimed one victory in the series' two previous tournament encounters.
 
In last year's postseason, No. 5 seed FIU defeated No. 4 seed Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton, Fla., with Mustre netting the match's only goal. FAU claimed the first-round victory in 2023.
 
Overall, Saturday will mark the 45th all-time meeting between the two programs in a rivalry that dates back to 1984. In their most recent regular season matchup on Sept. 26, 2025, FIU fell 2–0 on the road in Boca Raton.

SCOUTING THE OWLS
No. 2 seed Florida Atlantic (11-3-2) makes its first appearance in the American Conference Championship after a 3–0 semifinal win over No. 6 Tulsa on Wednesday.
 
The Owls are led by Mamadou Diarra, the 2025 American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, who has six goals and six assists this season. Oliver Moller-Jensen recorded a brace in the semifinal win and now has six goals and six assists on the year, while Aboubacar Traore has added six assists.
 
On the backline, Fabrizio Cubeddu has started all 16 matches, leading the team in minutes (1,246). Goalkeeper Alfred Mikkelsen has started 12 matches, totaling 33 saves and six shutouts.

UP NEXT 
With the win, FIU will advance to the NCAA Tournament for their fourth time under HC Kyle Russell. The selection show is set for Monday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. on NCAA.org.

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.