The nightmare start to the season continued for FIU men’s soccer on Friday night. The FIU Panthers dropped their home opener to the Stetson Hatters 3-2.
After a struggle at the John Rennie Nike Invitational in Durham, North Carolina, FIU was hoping to find an easier time of things back at University Park. After all, Stetson entered the game winless and ended their 2017 season without a win in its final three games.
Everything seemed to be going to plan in the 19th minute, when C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Santiago Patino notched his first goal of the campaign, assisted by Matias Barraza.
But in less than five minutes, everything came apart for FIU and sent them down a path toward the team’s fourth consecutive defeat dating to last season.
Daniel O’Brien struck first in the 53rd minute, assisted by Gabriel Diniz. In the 57th minute, O’Brien assisted Elvis Menayese, stunning the Fútbol Friday crowd at FIU Soccer Stadium.
FIU’s chance at victory evaporated in the 87th minute, when Menayese struck again to claim a brace on the night. Joris Ahlinvi was able to strike for a consolation goal in the 89th minute, but the damage was long done and FIU slumped to 0-3 on the season.
FIU men’s soccer will seek its first victory of the season on Friday at Marshall in Huntington, West Virginia at 7 p.m.
