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Monday, November 19, 2001
FIU receives surprise invitation
to NCAA Tourney
 t
was possible, but certainly not expected. In fact, following
Saturday’s 5-4 double-overtime men’s soccer loss to
No. 19 South Carolina, several FIU players from out of town made
plans for an early Thanksgiving recess.
But their travel plans changed Monday afternoon with the surprise
announcement that the Golden Panthers were invited to compete
in the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championships that begin
this weekend.
FIU travels to Dallas Friday at 8:30 p.m. (ET) for first round
play against the University of New Mexico (6-11-2), a No. 8 seed
who shocked the field and took the automatic bid of the Mountain
Pacific Sports Federation.
The winner of the FIU/UNM match takes on host and top-ranked
SMU (19-0-0), Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (ET).
“Being surprised is an understatement,” said an
ecstatic FIU head coach Karl Kremser upon hearing the
announcement. “I’m elated and so happy for the kids.
We got off to such a horrendous start to this year and last weekend’s
loss to a very talented South Carolina team was a disappointment.
“But I’m happy that the NCAA selection committee
gave credence to the strength of schedule we played. We’ve
been playing very well down the stretch and I like our chances.”
The Golden Panthers have indeed played a difficult schedule
this year in fashioning a 10-7-0 overall record, facing opponents
this season that played to a combined 212-134-9 record.
FIU won seven of its final nine matches on the year with those
two losses both coming in double overtime. The Golden Panthers
posted a 4-2-0 mark in the Atlantic Soccer Conference and finished
second.
Forty-eight teams make up this year’s NCAA bracket, the
largest field in the history of the Division I men’s soccer
tournament. The teams will be vying for the right to compete
at the 2001 NCAA Men’s College Cup on Dec. 14-16 in Columbus,
Ohio at Columbus Crew Stadium.
FIU received one of 28 at-large bids to the championship.
The Golden Panthers will be appearing in their 13th postseason
and fifth in Division I. Kremser’s 1996 squad reached the
Men’s College Cup in Richmond, Va. and played in the national
championship game against St. John’s. FIU’s last NCAA
appearance was in 1997.
SMU, the only remaining undefeated team, was awarded the No.
1 seed. The Mustangs, who advanced to the Men’s College
Cup a year ago, won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season
and tournament titles. |