On Tuesday, Oct. 17, the FGCU men’s soccer team lost 1-0 to the now no. 14 ranked Florida International University Panthers in the Eagles’ last home non-conference matchup of the regular season. 

Coming into the game, FIU was ranked no. 23 in the nation with a record of 7-2-3. FGCU came into the game with a record of 3-4-4. For both teams, it was a contest full of high intensity. There was a lot of physical contact, fouls and multiple yellow cards issued to both teams. The Eagles were given two yellow cards while the Panthers were given four. 

FIU put themselves on the board first with a goal in the 30th minute which left FGCU in a 1-0 deficit early. 

However, the Eagles’ offense responded well in the second half, getting off eight shots compared to just four in the first. There were also six corner kick attempts for the Eagles in the second half compared to only one in the first. In addition to the corner kicks, there were multiple direct free kicks near FIU’s goal. 

The Eagles also cleaned up their discipline in relation to fouls in the second half, only committing four fouls while the Panthers still accounted for ten.

Despite a strong offensive push by the Eagles, the aggressive Panther defense did not allow any balls in on goal. There were several close calls in an effort to tie the game, but FGCU was unable to respond to FIU’s early goal and lost a close one, 1-0, in a game where they outplayed the highly ranked Panthers.

For the most part, the Eagles played well on defense, only allowing five total shots and with just two of those shots even being on target. However, just the one shot slipping through was all the Panthers needed to outlast the Eagles.

Unfortunately for FGCU, this loss now lengthens their losing streak to three games and pushes their record to 3-5-4. The two previous losses came on the road to now #11 UNC and the best team in the ASUN Conference, Lipscomb. They have yet to win a game in October.

The Eagles currently sit in a three-way tie with Bellarmine and Stetson for second place in the ASUN Conference.

FGCU men’s soccer will play their final home match at Pickering Field.