Daniela Manzo / Staff Writer
The FIU Men’s Soccer team fought to the end but fell short at home against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, April 10th by a score of 3-2
With this loss, the Panthers now hold an overall record of 3-3-1 and a conference record of 2-2-1. FIU maintains their third rank standing out of the eight teams in Conference USA.
(When was the last time they laid each other and when was the last time FIU won against them)
The Panthers kicked off the game with an early shot on goal within the first six minutes. South Carolina retaliated with consecutive corner kicks leading them to score the first goal of the game at the 12th minute.
FIU quickly responded with a shot on goal by forward Alessandro Campoy, which was blocked by the South Carolina’s goalkeeper. The Panthers’ continued pressure paid off as defender David Garcia got control and scored to tie the game at the 16th minute.
South Carolina broke through the Panthers’ defense and fired a shot on target, leading 2-1 at the 17th minute. The game went back and forth with South Carolina taking a total of seven shots at goal. Meanwhile, FIU finished the fist half with 12 shots.
Five minutes before halftime, midfielder Karrem Riley fouled a Gamecocks player inside the 18-yard box, awarding a penalty kick to South Carolina which they converted to further their lead to 3-1.
Within the final minutes of the first half, the Panthers fought and pushed forward with a goal coming in at the 44th minute by midfielder Stephen Afrifa, ending the half down 3-2.
South Carolina kicked off the second half with a shot at goalkeeper Johan Penaranda. The Panthers held on and maintained pressure through the second half with nine shots at goal and nine corner kicks. But in the end, FIU was unable to get one through the net, ending the game with a 3-2 loss.
After a road trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, the Panthers will head out to Norfolk, Virginia to match up against the Old Dominion Monarchs on April 17th at noon. This will be their last match of the regular season.
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