MIAMI (Sept. 11, 2011) – The FIU men’s soccer team (2-2-2) took the Jacksonville Dolphins (1-2-1) to double overtime, but were unable punch in the winning goal, resulting in a 1-1 tie Sunday afternoon at the FIU Soccer Stadium in Miami, Fla.

“This is a disappointing result. This is a game we should have won,” Head Coach Munga Eketebi said. “We only have ourselves to blame. We needed to punch in those opportunities we had.”

After a scoreless first half, sophomore Nicholas Rodriguez-Fraile scored his first goal of the season in the 59^th minute of the match. After two beautiful passes from seniors Lucas Di Croce and Jahbari Willis, Rodriguez-Fraile had the Jacksonville keeper one-on-one and chipped the ball over his head into the net for FIU’s only score of the match.

The Dolphins scored the equalizer in the 70^th minute on a Predrag Ivanovic goal.

The Panthers out-shot the Dolphins, 6-0, in the two overtime periods, but couldn’t punch in the game-winner. In all, FIU out-shot Jacksonville, 22-10. FIU sophomore keeper Eric Reyes saved an FIU career-high seven shots.

The Panthers will return to the pitch on Friday, Sept. 16, against the North Florida Ospreys. Match time is 7 p.m.

For ticket information to FIU home matches, call the FIU Ticket Office at 305-FIU-GAME or log onto www.FIUSports.com. Fans can follow @FIUMensSoccer on Twitter for home match updates.

About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 17 different sports, and is a proud member of the Sun Belt Conference and an affiliate member of Conference USA (men's soccer). Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including U.S. Century Bank Arena and Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.

 

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