FORT MYERS, Fla. – FIU men's soccer earned a 4-2 victory over FGCU Tuesday evening from Pickering Field in a midweek contest.
The Panthers (4-3-2) scored three times in the opening half before adding another goal in the second half, marking the most goals FIU has scored this season and its most since Aug. 21, 2025, when the Panthers defeated Omaha, 4-1, in the season opener.
In addition, FIU earned its seventh consecutive win over the Eagles.
After FGCU struck first in the 10th minute,
Santi Possu leveled the contest in the 23rd minute off an assist from
Mateo Stickler. The goal marked Possu's team-leading seventh of the season and extended his scoring streak to four consecutive matches, with five goals over his last four games played.
FIU took the lead in the 28th minute when
Martin Piedeleu found the back of the net off assists from
Jad Benjelloun and
Matteo Piccardo. Piedeleu added his second goal of the night in the 33rd minute, securing his first career brace and marking his second consecutive match with a point. The Panthers carried a 3-1 advantage into halftime.
FIU continued to apply pressure in the second half, with
Owen Barnett scoring in the 61st minute off an assist from
Miquel Gelabert to extend the Panthers' lead to 4-1. FGCU answered in the 75th minute, but FIU held off the Eagles down the stretch to secure the 4-2 victory.
The Panthers finished with a 14-13 advantage in shots and placed seven attempts on goal compared to four for FGCU. Piedeleu led FIU with two goals on three shots, all of which were on target, while Possu added a goal on two shots.
Barnett recorded his second goal of the season, while Gelabert tallied his first assist of the campaign. Benjelloun and Stickler each recorded an assist, with Stickler earning his second assist of the season. Piccardo added his first assist of the season.
In goal,
Nigel Van Haveren played all 90 minutes and recorded two saves to help the Panthers secure the victory.
Up Next
FIU gets back into American Conference play on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. to take on the USF Bulls from Corbett Stadium. It will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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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