Men’s soccer battles UCF to 0-0 tie

The FIU men’s soccer team, in front of a crowd of 741 rowdy Panther fans, played the No. 6-ranked UCF Knights to a 0-0 draw Oct. 11 at the FIU Soccer Stadium. The draw runs FIU’s record to 4-5-3 and 1-2-1 in C-USA action, while UCF improves to 8-1-2 and 2-0-1 in C-USA games.

Midfielder Lucas Di Croce (No. 10) and defender Joseph Dawkins (No. 4) hustle against UCF. Photo courtesy Nick Vera.

The match was stopped with 4:49 remaining on the clock due to lightning in the area. After a lengthy rain and lightning delay, officials deemed the field unplayable and the match was called at a 0-0 draw in regulation.

FIU’s defense came alive against UCF, holding one of college soccer’s most potent offenses scoreless. Senior defender Jahbari Willis held the NCAA’s leading scorer, McKauly Tulloch, to only two shots on the night, none of which were on goal. Credit should also go to the rest of the Panthers’ back-line of junior Anthony Hobbs, junior Joseph Dawkins and senior Nicholas Chase for holding the Knights to just six shots on goal.

Freshman keeper Rodney Greiling matched a career-high in saves with six en route to his second career shutout. Both shutouts came against ranked opponents.

Freshman Quentin Albrecht led the FIU offense with three shots on goal while Chase, junior Sebastian Frings and Hobbs each had one. In all, the Panthers out-shot the Knights 16-14 in the contest.

The Panthers next travel to Dallas, Texas, to take on the SMU Mustangs Sunday, Oct. 16.

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