Soccer player strikes for a memorable senior year

Samir Bader // Staff Writer

Luis Betancur, forward for the FIU men’s soccer team, is looking to making his final season, a historic one. Following a strong season his junior year with 19 points –‒ 9 goals, 1 assist— Betancur wants to leave with his name forever remembered in the books.  

Nandi, as his teammates and close friends call him, strives to be the best, often working on drills after practice to improve his game and ensure a great season with the team.

The Panthers currently find themselves ranked No. 23 in the nation, ending the season with 12 wins, 7 losses and 1 tie. For this upcoming 2016 season, Betancur and his teammates want to go even further as they defend their Conference USA title.

“After last year, having a great year, it was a good turn around for my college career. I realized it’s my last year, who knows if we could do it again? We only had two of our seniors leaving … We have a big returning group, so I felt like if we use what we did last year and do more, we can get further in the NCAA tournament and try to win conference again,” Betancur said.  

With a widely diverse group of players, Betancur believes having players with different backgrounds and cultures only make their bond more special.

“We are from everywhere, we are from Colombia, Jamaica, France, Germany, etc. My recruiting class we were like 14 guys, and then we have been a family ever since,” Betancur said. “This [is] like a brotherhood, and we are together as a team on and off the field.”

The Panthers will play against the University of North Florida in Jacksonville on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.