FIU Soccer Faces UCF in First Round of NCAA Tournament
Tonight at FIU-University Park

John Pulido leads the Golden Panthers into this weekend's NCAA Tournament as FIU takes on UCF.
photo by:Geoff Anderson
The No. 14 Florida International University men’s soccer team will take on the University of Central Florida in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament at University Park on Friday, November 21, at 7 p.m.

These intrastate rivals last met just over a week ago on Sunday, November 9, as the Golden Panthers (13-4-2) rolled to a 3-1 victory at home over the Golden Knights (12-5-3). In that game FIU sophomore Carron Williams (Santa Cruz, Trinidad/Mobile), an All-Atlantic Soccer Conference First Team selection, recorded his second multi-goal game of the season, scoring twice to lead FIU to their fourth straight win over UCF.

The Golden Panthers lead the all-time series 21-6-3 and have won five of their last six meetings – including a 2-1 win over the Golden Knights in the first round of the 2002 NCAA Tournament on November 22.

"I am thrilled we're in the NCAA Tournament and it's a great opportunity to host the first round and have the chance to host the second round," said 24th year head coach Karl Kremser. "We're a little banged up right now, but we need to get ready. We are excited to play UCF this weekend."

Both teams earned automatic berths to the NCAA Tournament after winning their second straight conference championships. FIU won the Atlantic Soccer Conference with a 4-0-1 conference record, while UCF earned the Atlantic Sun Tournament title with a 3-1 victory over Florida Atlantic on Nov. 15.

FIU has won 19 of their last 21 games at home, including posting an 8-2 record at University Park this season.

The winner of the FIU-UCF game advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, November 26, to face Cal State Northridge at a site to be determined. The Matadors earned the 16th seed in the 48-team field, with the top 16 schools receiving first-round byes.

The Golden Panthers are making their third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. After defeating Central Florida 2-1 in the first round in 2003, FIU fell 3-1 at Southern Methodist. In 1996 FIU finished runner-up in the tournament after losing 4-1 to St. John’s in the NCAA finals.

Tickets to the FIU-UCF game are available for $7 and can be purchased by calling the FIU Ticket Office at (305) FIU-GAME in Miami-Dade or toll free at (866) 348-4263. They can also be purchased online at www.fiusports.com.

View the fiusports.com official release by clicking here.