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Sunday, November 17, 2002
Men's Soccer falls to South
Carolina; unbeaten streak ends at 13
 he Florida International men's soccer
team suffered its first loss since Sept. 7, 2002, as the Golden
Panthers fell to South Carolina, 2-1, today in Columbia, S.C.
In an evenly-played match which
saw FIU playing in unfamiliar cold weather, the Gamecocks jumped
out to an early lead when Golden Panther goalkeeper Roy Rosenberg
stepped off his line in the 3rd minute, allowing the Gamecocks'
Ryan Deter to capitalize from 10 yards out.
In the 22nd minute, FIU senior
Juan Rivera netted the equalizer when he blasted a shot past
USC goalkeeper Michael Bachmeyer and into the left corner of
the net.
The Gamecocks' Anthony Stovall
would score the game-winner in the 36th minute as he took a pass
from Ben Link and slipped it by Rosenberg.
At intermission, FIU head coach
Karl Kremser replaced Rosenberg with rookie Shawn Crowe.
The second half saw the two teams
battle back and forth with neither team being able to find the
back of the net. Bachmeyer recorded three saves in the second
period while Crowe made four stops to keep the Golden Panthers
in contention.
In the match, USC held a 13-12
edge in shots while each team took three corner kicks. FIU was
uncharacteristically whistled for 24 fouls compared to 15 for
the Gamecocks.
The loss ended FIU's 13-game
unbeaten streak that saw the team reel of 12 victories - including
a pair of wins over ranked teams - and a tie since Sept. 7. The
Golden Panthers head into the NCAA Tournament with an overall
record of 12-5-1.
FIU - which is guaranteed an
invitation to postseason play by virtue of winning the Atlantic
Soccer Conference title - will host an NCAA Tournament Selection
Show Watch Party Monday afternoon from 4-6 p.m., at the Kendall
Ale House at 11625 SW 88th St. Friends, family and fans of the
FIU men's soccer program are invited to attend. For more information,
please call 305-348-6666. |