Sunday, October 28, 2001

FIU wins Golden Panthers Classic with 1-0 win over Kentucky

Kentucky defensive miscue resulted in an own goal and FIU (8-6-0) won this weekend’s Golden Panther Invitational with a 1-0 victory over the Wildcats, Sunday at University Park.

photo by Geoff Anderson Conor Collins controls the ball during Sunday's match against Kentucky. Collins was named Offensive MVP of this weekend's FIU Classic after scoring both goals of last Friday's 2-1 win over Michigan.

With FIU driving toward the Kentucky goal, a Matias Asorey crossing pass intended for teammate Billy Boswell was intercepted by a Wildcat defenseman who inadvertently played the ball off his shoulder past goalkeeper Greg Raber for the only score of the contest at 60:23.

Overall, FIU outshot Kentucky (10-5-1), 15-4, and goalkeeper Franklyn Rubio earned the shutout with only two saves.

It was a physical contest with Kentucky being whistled for 31 fouls, five yellow cards and two reds that caused the Wildcats to play shorthanded for the final 16 minutes.

“I was pleased with the effort because we battled, yet we kept our composure in a very physical game,” said FIU head coach Karl Kremser.

Following the match, Raber was named as the tournament’s Defensive MVP after allowing only one goal over two matches that included a shutout Friday of No. 15-ranked Furman. FIU’s Conor Collins, who scored both goals in the Golden Panthers 2-1 win Friday vs. Michigan, was selected as the Offensive MVP.

Earlier in the day, Furman (11-4-0) earned the weekend’s runner-up trophy with a 4-0 win over Michigan (8-5-1). Furman led 2-0 at the half, scoring on an own goal and a penalty kick.

FIU is back on the field next Friday, Nov. 2 at University Park with its final Atlantic Soccer Conference contest of the season against Binghamton.