Friday, November 9, 2001

FIU beats UCF, 3-0, despite playing shorthanded

zequiel Romero scored two goals and John Pulido added another as the Golden Panthers won for the seventh time in their last eight matches with a 3-0 victory over UCF (12-7-0) Friday night in a non-conference match at University Park.

With the win, FIU raised its record to 10-6-0, assuring the program its 11 double-digit victory season in the last 12 years.

Pulido scored on a header off a direct free kick from Juan Rivera at 28:01 for the early advantage. But some seven minutes later, FIU’s Hendrix Emanuel was whistled for dangerous play and red carded. The Golden Panthers were forced to play one man down for the remainder of the match.

UCF tried to make the most of their advantage early in the second half, with several one-on-one chances against FIU goalkeeper Roy Rosenberg. One of those chances was a 12-yard shot by Knight’s Chris Beaulac that hit the right post and bounced away.

But despite playing a man short, Romero and the FIU offense kept the pressure on the UCF goal. Allen Handy found Romero on a crossing pass that was fired past Knights goalkeeper Juuso Heikurainen from 15 yards away at 60:54. Then it was Romero again, this time with a pass from Alejandro Sanchez, at 65:59.

Rosenberg’s shutout, on five saves, was his fifth of the season in seven winning decisions.

“I was very happy for the kids tonight. They played well and battled hard,” said FIU head coach Karl Kremser. “I thought we played a little defensively at the start of the second half but Ezequiel gave us the offensive spark we needed.”

FIU closes out its season next Saturday, Nov. 17 at home against No. 20 South Carolina, a game it is hoped could have postseason ramifications for the Golden Panthers.

“If we can come out and steal a win next week, we’ve got a slight chance, an opportunity, for an NCAA bid,” said Kremser. “If nothing else, it will be a game for the pride of our program.”