Weekend in Review: Swimming and diving remains undefeated

Sophomore Kyna Pereira finished in first place in all eight of the events she competed in during the FIU Dual-A-Palooza.

By Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17 

The FIU swimming and diving team, continuing to build on last season’s success, earned victories against Rice, Florida Atlantic and Miami in the FIU Dual-A-Palooza over the weekend to remain undefeated.

The Panthers improved their record to 5-0 this season and have now won 16 consecutive dual meets dating back to Jan. 31, 2014.

Sophomores Kyna Pereira and Naomi Ruele led the way for the Panthers in Friday’s 133-90 win over Rice to kick off the weekend, combining for five first place finishes in the dual meet at the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center.

Despite Saturday’s dual meets against Florida Atlantic and Miami being moved to Gulliver Prep’s swimming facilities, the Panthers continued to

Claiming first place in nine of 11 events against the Owls, the Panthers swam to a 138-62 victory. Then the Panthers outdueled the Hurricanes later in the day, beating Miami 122-83 with seven first place finishes.

Pereira picked up a pair of first-place finishes in both victories for FIU and finished a perfect 8-0 in the events she saw throughout the Dual-A-Palooza.

Next up for the Panthers will be a home meet against Illinois on Nov. 6 at the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center.

For more information on FIU swimming and diving, go to FIUSports.com.

Junior midfielder Patrick Lopez’s first career goal helped the Panthers defeat Old Dominion at FIU Soccer Stadium on Oct. 17.

MEN’S SOCCER

A pair of tough losses against Conference USA opponents put a damper on FIU men’s soccer’s early success, but the Panthers bounced back with a huge 2-1 victory at home against Old Dominion, the No. 9 team in the nation.

After a scoreless first half at FIU Soccer Stadium, the Monarchs got on the board with a 59^th minute goal from Ivan Militar on a backwards header.

The Panthers responded in the 72^nd minute with a goal from senior midfielder Daniel Gonzalez to even up the score at 1-1.

FIU junior midfielder Patrick Lopez scored the game-winner with a header that got past the goalkeeper in the 82^nd minute. It was the first career goal for Lopez, and he couldn’t have picked a better time for it.

“Words can’t even describe it, it’s a dream come true,” Lopez told FIUSports.com. “More important than the goal is the team win. It’s huge.”

The Panthers will travel to Fort Myers to take on the FGCU Eagles on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.

For more information on FIU men’s soccer, go to FIU Sports.com.

FOOTBALL

 A late comeback effort came up short for FIU Football in a 42-34 loss on the road to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Oct. 17.

Trailing by 15 points with nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Panthers scored with 6:59 to go on a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Alex McGough to wide receiver Thomas Owens to make it a one-possession game.

The Panthers had one last chance to drive down the field for the potential game-tying score, but on fourth down and 13 yards to go from the Blue Raiders’ 43-yard line, a pass from McGough to Owens fell incomplete to clinch the win for Middle Tennessee.

Running back Alex Gardner scored two touchdowns for FIU, one rushing and one receiving, and helped the Panthers take a slim lead at the end of the first quarter.

But it wasn’t enough to overcome a 21-point second quarter by the Blue Raiders and a breakout performance from Middle Tennessee freshman running back Desmond Anderson (144 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 29 carries).

The Panthers (3-4, 1-2 Conference USA) will return home to face Old Dominion in the Homecoming Game on Oct. 24 at FIU Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

For more information on FIU Football, go to FIUSports.com.