Men’s Soccer team reaches #11 in national rankings

Junior forward Santiago Patino celebrates achieving a hat trick against the Marshall Thundering Herd on Saturday Oct. 7, 2017. Patino leads the conference with 12 goals scored and is also averaging a goal-per-game. Nicholas Poblete/Panther Press

By Nicholas Poblete/Staff Writer

 

Currently undefeated, the FIU men’s soccer team is ranked No. 11 in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches poll, its highest position since 1996.

The Panthers are on an incredible run of form this season. With a record of 9-0-3, and a Conference USA record of 4-0-1, the men’s soccer team are currently one of two schools without a blemish on their record. Indiana University, ranked No.1 by United Soccer Coaches Poll, hold the record of 12-0-2.

Currently, the Panthers top the C-USA standings with 13 points. Head Coach Kevin Nylen’s men lead the conference with 37 nettings. In addition, the men’s soccer team is tied third with Charlotte for a total of 15 goals conceded.

When the team first began to receive national attention, Coach Nylen discussed how he wants the team to remained focused and not get ahead of themselves.

“These guys come out, they train every day. This is what they love to do, this is their passion and this is what they know,” Coach Nylen said. “We need to make sure that we stay focused every single day in terms of our preparation and what we’re doing, and hopefully you have the ability to perform and execute a game plan come game time.”

FIU has three players within the Top-10 in leading goal scorers in the conference.

Junior forward, Santiago Patiño, leads the table with 12 scored goals in 12 matches, averaging a goal-per-game.

Senior midfielder Paul Marie is fifth place with five goals in 11 matches, an average of .455 goals-per-game.

Sophomore midfielder, Alessandro Campoy, is sixth with five goals in 12 matches, averaging .417 goals-per-game.

The Panthers also have a strong presence in the Top-10 chart for assists, with redshirt-sophomore midfielder Inigo Sagarduy, who averaged seven assists in 11 games.

Campoy follows Sagarduy with five assists in 12 matches. Patiño is fifth with four assists in 12 games. Sophomore midfielder Joris Ahlinvi is in sixth, assisting on four occasions within 11 matches.

Junior goalkeeper, Hugo Fauroux, has been outstanding for the Panthers. Faroux is third in average goals received, with 13 goals scored in 11 matches. The junior is sixth in saves with 36 in his 11 matches, and has kept a clean sheet on two occasions.

The Panthers will look to continue their hot streak against C-USA rival Old Dominion this Tuesday at the FIU Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.

Be the first to comment on "Men’s Soccer team reaches #11 in national rankings"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*