MIAMI – FIU men's soccer dropped its regular-season home finale in a 2-1 decision to Tulsa on Wednesday evening at Leyva Family Field on Senior Night.
FIU (7-4-4, 2-2-3 American) received a second-half goal from Santi Possu, his team-leading 11th of the season, but could not complete the comeback in a pivotal conference matchup.
Tulsa struck first in the 25th minute with a penalty kick to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. The Golden Hurricane extended their advantage to 2-0 in the 60th minute following an own goal.
FIU responded two minutes later when Martin Piedeleu found Possu, who sprinted into the box and finished with his left foot to bring the Panthers within one. The Cali, Colombia, native has now scored in three consecutive games and leads FIU with 11 goals and 23 points. His 11 goals are the most by a Panther since 2023, while his seven goals in conference play also lead the team. Piedeleu recorded his team-leading fourth assist of the season.
The Panthers continued to battle but were reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute after Miquel Gelabert received a red card.
Offensively, FIU outshot Tulsa 14-9, with Gelabert recording a team-high three shots and Alfonso Gilleard-Soriano adding two. Benjamin Watt also registered a shot. Durhan, Gilleard-Soriano and Possu each played the full 90 minutes.
In goal, Nigel Van Haveren made two saves, bringing his team-high season total to 42.
Prior to kickoff, FIU honored nine seniors: Owen Barnett, Jad Benjelloun, Pasquale Capriati, Jameel Durhan, Florian Grollmann, Matteo Piccardo, Santi Possu, Thomas Sellwood and Nigel Van Haveren.
Up Next
FIU heads to Philadelphia, Pa. to face off with the Temple Owls in the regular season finale on Sunday, Nov. 1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from Temple Sports Complex and live on ESPN+. A win will clinch us a spot in the American Conference Championships.
Baptist Health
The 2026 FIU men's soccer season is presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics
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