Panthers fall to Eagles in late game comeback

By Bothswick Basil/Contributing Writer

The FIU men’s soccer team (4-6, 3-0 Conference USA) had a 1-0 lead in the first half, but the FGCU Eagles (5-3-1-1-0 Atlantic Sun) managed to overcome the deficit by scoring two goals to beat the Panthers 2-1 on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the FIU Soccer Stadium.

Eagles head coach Jesse Cormier was impressed with how his team responded with energy and teamwork in the second half.

“I thought our guys responded very well, they showed some mental toughness and grit,” said Cormier. “Playing a team who went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year, the guys responded in such a resilient way. It shows that when we provide the energy and they stick together, and work as a team, we can beat anybody.”

In the first 20 minutes of the game, both teams had possession of the ball, but the Panthers jumped out from Santiago Patino who scored the penalty kick after trying to make a play with the ball within the box.

FGCU’s Miguel Perez later attempted to score another goal at the four-minute mark but came up short. At the break, the Eagles trailed 1-0 on 13-8.

During the second half, the Eagles started sparking their offense by tallying four shots on corner kicks. Around the 66th minute mark, O’Vonte Mullings would score the first goal off Shak Adams in the penalty area.

The next few minutes, Ryan Medilah who would score the second goal around the 68th-minute mark making it his first goal of his FIU soccer career.

Down to the last 20 minutes of the game, FIU couldn’t find ways to score as they were limited to five shots due to the defense of the Eagle’s backline and their goal-keeper Gustavo Vasconcelos.

The Panthers’ next game will be against the Charlotte 49ers on Sunday, Oct. 14 in Charlotte, N.C. Start time is set for 7 p.m.