The FIU Men’s Soccer team lost 3-0 to the New Hampshire Wildcats on Sept. 10, at Wildcat Stadium in Durham, New Hampshire.
The loss resulted in the Panthers three game winning streak coming to an end. FIU put pressure on the Wildcats during the first half, challenging a competitive side.
An intense half saw two yellow cards given to the FIU defenders Edgar Aguilar and Carlos Scheckermann, with three players also receiving fouls. Close to the end of the first half in the 44th minute, the Wildcats launched a long throw-in towards the box that was headed home as the ball snuck past Kevin Harr’s typically safe hands.
Midfielder Matteo Gasperoni refused to let the Panthers settle and with 11 seconds remaining in the first half, he fired off a quick shot on goal, but UNH’s Goalie was faster, and stopped the ball.
The second half began with the Wildcats on the front foot. Both teams were ready to leave it all on the field to earn a win.
Five minutes into the second half, defender David Garcia grew into the game and hit a shot at goal, but the Wildcats’ keeper had other plans and saved the strike.
The heart rates of every player started accelerating as UNH was given a penalty kick in minute 73, and with sweat dripping off their faces, the FIU Panthers seemed disappointed after the penalty resulted in a goal.
Panthers now down 2-0.
Garcia’s ambition didn’t stop, as he fought for a goal but his shots were too high to nestle into the net. Forward Paulo Alves joined Garcia with the shots at goal, but all of them were unsuccessful.
As the Panthers picked up their pace during the final minutes of the game, they were struck with another goal from the Wildcats only five minutes before the referee blew the whistle.
Out of the five games played so far, the Panthers have won three, and lost two.
Up next, FIU Men’s Soccer will host a game against Tulsa University, with whom they have history with. The last time these two teams faced one another was in 2015, where the Panthers fell in a 2-3 result.
In the 10 occasions the Panthers have faced the Golden Hurricane, FIU has always been defeated. Could this be the year where they break that streak?
The game will be held at the FIU Soccer Stadium this Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.