Weekend Replay: Men’s, women’s soccer pick up dramatic wins

Junior forward Luca Giovine scored the game-winning goal for FIU men’s soccer in a big home victory over Florida Atlantic.

By Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17 

Junior forward Luca Giovine’s goal in the 24^th minute was enough to lift the FIU men’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory over rival Florida Atlantic Oct. 21 at FIU Stadium.

It was the second goal of the season for Giovine, who launched a shot from 16 yards out that went off the far post and into the back of the net to give the Panthers the lead.

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi, making his first career start in place of an injured Arthur Clapot, made six saves to record the shutout.

The Panthers (5-6-2, 3-2-1 Conference USA) are now in third place in the C-USA standings with 10 points and are just three points behind South Carolina for first place.

Next up, FIU will host UCF for a midweek match on Oct. 25 at FIU Soccer Stadium. First touch is set for 7 p.m.

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

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Senior midfielder Alyssa Robinson scored both dramatic goals in a 2-1 overtime road win for FIU women’s soccer at UTSA Oct. 23 as the Panthers concluded their road portion of the regular season.

Trailing 1-0 heading into the final minutes of regulation, Robinson tied the game in the 85^th minute with a booming shot from 22 yards out that beat the UTSA goalkeeper. She then scored the game winner with a header in the 94^th minute of play to give FIU its third road win of the season.

It was the second two-goal game of the season for Robinson, who leads all Panthers scorers with six goals.

The Panthers (3-9-3, 2-4-2 Conference USA) will host two games this week at FIU Soccer Stadium to close out the regular season. Senior Night will be held Oct. 27 when North Texas visits the FIU Soccer Stadium for a 7 p.m. contest. The makeup game from Hurricane Matthew versus Old Dominion Oct. 30 will start at 1 p.m.

For more information on FIU women’s soccer, go to FIUSports.com.

Quarterback Alex McGough threw three touchdown passes in a loss to Louisiana Tech on Oct. 22.

FOOTBALL

FIU football came into their Homecoming game against Louisiana Tech Oct. 22 riding a three-game win streak.

But after the Panthers took a brief 3-0 lead early in the contest, they allowed 20 unanswered points to the Bulldogs and were unable to bounce back. The 44-24 loss at FIU Stadium marks the first Conference USA loss for the Panthers this season.

The Panthers had trouble locking down Louisiana Tech wide receiver Trent Taylor, who finished the game with 156 receiving yards and a touchdown reception on 11 catches for the Bulldogs.

FIU quarterback Alex McGough threw for 281 passing yards and three touchdowns – two of them to wide receiver Thomas Owens – in the losing effort.

The Panthers (3-5, 3-1 C-USA) are now tied for first place in the Conference USA East Division standings and will host Middle Tennessee at FIU Stadium in a critical conference matchup Oct. 29. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Senior outside hitter Katie Hogan notched a career-high 24 kills to help the Panthers earn a 3-1 (25-15, 25-21, 19-25, 25-17) victory over Louisiana Tech and snap a five-game losing streak Oct. 23 at FIU Arena.

The Panthers dominated the first set and pulled away late in the second set to jump out to a 2-0 lead before the Bulldogs bounced back in the third set. But Hogan shut things down in the fourth set with 10 kills on 15 attempts to clinch the win for FIU.

FIU (8-15, 2-7 Conference USA) will make a short trip to Boca Raton Oct. 28 to face Florida Atlantic at FAU Arena.

For more information on FIU women’s volleyball, go to FIUSports.com.