By Nicholas Poblete/Staff Writer
On Thursday, FIU men’s soccer team defeated the University of Alabama at Birmingham 1-2 on the road amid the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
Due of the hurricane, the FIU men’s soccer team’s Sept. 8 home game against Old Dominion and Sept. 12 away game against UCF were postponed until further notice.
The Panthers made the difficult decision to travel to Birmingham, Alabama. UAB left its facilities opened to FIU men’s soccer team so it could continue its practices.
“You’re dealing with the safety of every single player within your program, and then you’re dealing with their emotional state, in terms of looking out for their families,” Head Coach Kevin Nylen said. “Part of the learning experience from this moment was leaving a hurricane and being together and facing that adversity. I think being away as a group allowed us to come together a little more.”
Despite the chaos back home, the Panthers came away with a win against UAB with goals scored by junior forward Santiago Patiño, assisted by senior forward Luca Giovine and an unassisted goal by sophomore midfielder Joris Ahlinvi during his first of the season. Both goals for the Panthers came in the first half. UAB scored a goal in the second half.
“I tip my hat off to the guys. [They] played a really difficult team in UAB, and the entire week they were good,” Coach Nylen said. “We talked about it, that there was a little more to the game than just soccer, to bring something positive to FIU during this time.”
The Panthers win in Birmingham bolsters the team’s record to 3-0-2.
The staff’s decision to see out the hurricane in Birmingham allowed the players, as well as staff, to remain safe. The families of the players and staff who reside in South Florida also remained unharmed, according to Coach Nylen.
With classes and athletic activities resuming at FIU, the Panthers will host conference rivals from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Saturday at 7 p.m.
About Post Author
