Panthers undefeated streak comes to an end in loss versus Furman

Photo by Jonathan Segal

Francisco Rivero/ Staff Writer

After reeling off five consecutive wins to start the season, the FIU men’s soccer team saw their perfect record come to an end with a loss to Furman on Sept. 14 and a draw against University of Missouri – Kansas City on Sept. 16.

Furman 2, FIU 1

The Panthers began their quest for their sixth win of the season in Fort Myers, Fla. where they played Furman (4-2-1). But the Panthers soon learned that gaining their sixth win of the season would be easier said than done.

The first goal of the game came in the 45th minute, off the foot of forward Martin Ontiveros. The goal was off a free kick that went past FIU’s goal keeper Robin Spiegel.

As the second half of play began, the night would only get worse for the Panthers young goalkeeper. In the 61st minute, the Paladins increased their lead with a header shot off defender Walter Zimmerman. For Spiegel, It was the first time he didn’t record a save in a game.

The Panthers tried to make a comeback with a goal from team-leading scorer forward Quentin Albrecht. For Albrecht, it was his sixth goal of the season. But FIU would not get another goal past Furman’s goalkeeper Doug Ryan, who ended the night with a shutout while collecting three saves.

For Head Coach Kenny Arena, it was just a case of bad luck and not being able to cash in on missed opportunities by Furman.

“We gave up only three chances the entire game, we gave up two goals on re-starts and they were the only two shots on goal,” Arena said. “Unfortunately it put us down two goals, we earned one back and could have gotten more, but sometimes the ball just doesn’t roll your way.”

FIU 0, UKMC 0

FIU (5-1-1) hoped to bounce back against UMKC (1-4-1) in their second home game of the season.

The scoring started in the 19th minute when midfielder Mo Ramahi scored off a 10-yard pass from forward David Sarabia, that cleared the left side of the net for the only goal of the first half.

During the second half , the Panthers tied up the game with a goal from forward Nicolas Rodriguez off a penalty kick. For Rodriguez, there was only one thing going through his mind.

“I’m going to score, I’m going to make it,” Rodriguez said jokingly. “You have to stay positive because when a penalty kick comes the other team is telling you everything to get into your head.”

But neither team was able to score again behind the great work of their goalkeepers. The Kangaroos’ goalie Kevin Corby ended the night with six saves only allowing one goal. The Panther’s Spiegel collected four saves, also allowing one goal.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw with both teams exhausted from a very physical battle.
“You’re allowed to foul, last time I checked it it’s not illegal to foul hard,” Arena said. “Our guys played hard and we’ve had to deal with teams defending us like this all year, and today was probably even more extreme and I’m very happy that our guys kept going.”
For the fourth straight game, the Panthers once again found themselves trailing at the end of the first half.

Arena said it was just a case of earlier fatigue combined with a marathon-like mentality.

“I think that in the first half the other team has energy, so as the game goes on I see our fitness and style of play really come through and start to show us playing better,” Arena said. “But early in games I see teams throwing everything they have at us and so it looks a little combative and hectic.”

FIU will continue to look for their sixth win of the season when they play Stetson University (3-3) on Sept. 22 in DeLand, Fla. at 6 p.m.

francisco.rivero@fiusm.com