Friday, October 26, 2001

FIU upends Michigan, 2-1, advances to Golden Panther Classic finals

onor Collins scored both goals, his first two of the season, as FIU (7-6-0) won its first-round match of the Golden Panthers Invitational with a 2-1 win over the University of Michigan (8-5-1), Friday at University Park.

Collins put FIU up, 1-0, on an assisted goal by Hendrix Emanuel at 34:59, but the lead was short lived as the Wolverines tied the match at 39:20 when Mychal Turpin scored on a header after taking a crossing pass from teammate Knox Cameron.

Collins put the Golden Panthers up for good, 15:30 into the second half when he blasted a goal past UM goalkeeper Joe Zawacki for the game-winning score.

“I think our ball possession has been better the last couple of weeks and we’re starting to move the ball a lot better,” said FIU head coach Karl Kremser. “All-in-all, tonight was not a bad effort. I was especially pleased in the play of the back line.”

Kremser was forced to use two different goalkeepers in the win when starter Roy Rosenberg left at half time with a contusion of the knee. He was relieved by senior Wally Crittenden in the second half who made a pair of saves in recording the victory.

In the opener, former Western High School star Chris Soler recorded the only score as Kentucky (10-4-1) upset No. 15-ranked Furman (10-4-0), 1-0.

That sets up a championship match Sunday at 1:30 pm between the Golden Panthers and Wildcats. Furman will take on Michigan in the first game of the day beginning at 11:30 a.m.