By Nicholas Poblete/Asst. Sports Director
The men’s soccer club endures a competitive Spring season schedule, playing against various college club teams, in preparations for next season’s Fall tournament.
“We’re pushing for this season to give us more than a base,” said Head Coach Rafael Arias. “We’re building a spine to work with all year. To kick it into sixth gear for the fall season.”
The Panthers began their Spring season the second week of the 2018 Spring semester. Since then, they have been practicing at 8 p.m., every Tuesday and Thursday at the MMC Intramural Fields.
FIU won their first two friendlies of the Spring season, first, defeating the Florida Atlantic Soccer Club 7-2, and later defeating Key Biscayne Soccer Club 5-2.
“I believe the best part of Spring season has been the practices in general,” said goalkeeper Jean Paul Garcia, junior majoring in psychology. “The coaches have done a good job in getting everyone into great shape and it has helped us against our competition.”
This past weekend the men’s club traveled to Boca Raton, Florida, to take part in FAU’s club soccer tournament. The eight-team tournament was held from Saturday, Mar. 3, through Sunday, Mar. 4.
During the tournament’s first day, the Panthers were faced with the daunting challenge of playing three matches.
The Panthers first match of the day, against the University of Miami club team, resulted in an FIU 2-0 victory against the Canes. The Panthers then faced Lynn University club team. The Fighting Knights defeated the Panthers 2-1. In the final game of the day, FIU faced the University of Central Florida club team. The Knights and Panthers drew to a scoreless draw.
With a record of 1-1-1, the Panthers went through to the tournament’s semifinal, held on Sunday, against host FAU. The Panthers stunned the Owls, defeating them 2-4.
Advancing to the final later that day, the Panthers were paired up against UCF, in a rematch from Saturday’s match. The Panthers were defeated 2-1 by the Knights.
Despite falling short in the final, Arias said that the weekend had left him and his team with many positives.
“To lose the way we did in the final, against a strong team, is part of the game,” Arias said. “We felt satisfied, always trying to beat the feeling of comfort. We learned our strengths and realized our weaknesses.
The Panthers will play two friendlies before traveling to Gainesville, Florida, where they will take part in UF’s soccer club tournament, during the weekend of March 31.
The men’s club president Giovanni Montenegro, a senior majoring in sports and fitness studies, said that he and Arias run the team because of the love for the sport.
“We do it because we want to give back, by providing an opportunity for college students to play good, organized soccer,” Montenegro said.
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