Eketebi frustrated after draw against Jacksonville

By: Andres Leon / Staff Writer

Golden Panthers come up short in extra time with a 1-1 tie against Jacksonville

FIU (2-2-2) went to their second extra time game only to tie the Jacksonville Dolphins (1-2-1) in a 1-1 contest. “This is a game we should have won. We have the better team and we are continuing to have problems finishing our opportunities,” said Coach Munga Eketebi after the frustrating tie on Sunday afternoon.

The Golden Panthers played well majority of the match, but struggled to find the net of numerous opportunities. In the 43’ minute, JU keeper Johnny Foley made illegal contact with the ball, giving FIU an indirect free-kick just outside the six yard box. Nicolas Rodriguez-Fraile took strike just past goal and off a rebound. Colby Burdette tried to take a shot but was kicked out by a Dolphin defender.

At the end of the first period the score was nil-nil, but the stats would show signs of a much different score line. At the end of the half, FIU outshot the Dolphins 12-3, looking to make a break through in the second half.

Off a long sequence of dribbling, Jahbari Willis would push up the Dolphins’ defensive third and thread a ball through to Lucas Di Croce, who lobbed the ball to Nicolas Rodriguez-Fraile.

Rodriguez-Fraile finished the play by chipping the ball over the JU goalkeeper for FIU’s only goal of the game. The goal was his first of the season.

The Golden Panthers continued to push the ball up into Dolphin territory despite feeling fatigued and worn out after playing an overtime game the day before. Jahbari Willis took a long shot on goal and the Dolphins gained possession. Off a swift counter attack, FIU conceded just 10 minutes after they broke the deadlock.

Dolphins’ forward Nick Rodriguez took a shot in the box and off a deflection from keeper Eric Reyes. Predrag Ivanovic slipped the ball through to equalize. “It’s unfortunate that after a hard fought goal we conceded the way we did, we have to be awake on those quick counters,” said Eketebi.

The Golden Panthers picked up the pace and continued to out play the Dolphins. FIU out shot their opponents 22-10, while holding them to only two corner kicks in the match. In the end, the heat and fatigue would prove too much for FIU as they settled for the tie after two periods of extra time.

Keeper Eric Reyes recorded seven saves as his career high for FIU while continuing to play a huge role in FIU’s defensive scheme. “We just need to communicate better, and honestly, we had better players and better plays throughout the game, the fatigue just got to us and we have to find ways to finish plays,” said Reyes after the game.

The Golden Panthers return to play on Friday Sept. 16 against the North Florida Ospreys. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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