CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The No. 4 seed FIU men's soccer program fell to No. 2 Florida Atlantic, 3–2, in the American Conference Championship match on Saturday evening.
 
Making their second straight appearance in the title match, the Panthers struck first just three minutes in, as a scramble in the box led to a goal from Nicolas Villalobos off an assist from Johan Helan. The finish marked Villalobos' first goal of the season and Helan's first assist of the 2025 campaign.
 
Florida Atlantic responded with two goals in a four-minute span. Mamadou Diarra equalized in the 20th minute before Ethan Schumaker put the Owls ahead in the 24th, giving FAU a 2–1 advantage.
 
In the 69th minute, Diarra added his second of the night to extend the lead to 3–1. FIU pulled one back in the 79th minute when redshirt freshman Diego Sanchez used his pace to score the first goal of his collegiate career, cutting the deficit to 3–2. The Panthers continued pressing late but were unable to find the equalizer.
 
FIU finished with 11 shots as a team, led by Helan's three. Eduardo Mustre and Sanchez each recorded two attempts. David Boccuzzo, Mustre, and Alfonso Gilleard-Soriano all logged 90-minute outings.
 
In goal, Nigel Van Haveren tallied three saves.
 
FIU concludes its season with seven wins and its third appearance in the American Conference Championship match since joining the league.

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