Conference Play Kicks Off at FIU

Saturday, March 6

Miami, Fla.

Noon

Florida Atlantic

FIU

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

3/5/2021 1:28:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University men's soccer team (3-0-2) looks to extend its undefeated season into Conference USA play, as the Owls travel south to FIU (RV) (2-1) to face off against the Panthers. First touch is set for noon at FIU Soccer Stadium. The match marks the third straight road contest for the Owls.

About the Owls

FAU has commenced the spring season with a 3-0-2 record, which is the best start for the program since 2013
The Owls have gathered three clean sheets, while conceding just two goals this season. This marks the best defensive start for the program in the first five matches since 1991
FAU is outscoring opponents 8-2, as well as taking more shots than the opposition, 45-31
Alonso Coello Camarero and Blake Dean lead the team with five points each. Both players' points come off two goals and an assist
Dean, Coello Camarero, Fabrizio Cubeddu and Daniel Skistad each have one assist this year
Coello Camarero has also taken a team's most 10 shots with five of those on goal
Neil Strauber has started in FAU's five games in net for 490 minutes. He has produced a 0.37 goals against average 0.889 save percentage and 16 saves. He has earned three shutouts and has shut down the opposition by allowing just two goals in five matches
The Owls' backline has done a tremendous job in the first half of the season. Graeme Pratt has played all 490 minutes, while Skistad follows with 486 and Coello Camarero right after with 476
FAU was projected to finish in fifth in C-USA, while Ivan Mykhailenko and Coello Camarero earned spots on the All-Conference Preseason Team

About the Panthers

FIU was picked to finish C-USA in fourth, as chosen by the league's head coaches
The Panthers are coming off a 10-3-5 record (4-2-1 in C-USA play) in 2019, finishing fourth in the league in 2019, and losing to Charlotte in the C-USA Tournament semifinals
Alessandro Campoy was chosen to the All-C-USA Preseason Team. Campoy won the C-USA Golden Boot award last season after leading the league with five goals in conference play. He tallied 14 points and was named to the C-USA First Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team last season
In the first three matches, FIU has outscored their opponents, 8-3, with five of those goals coming against the University of Fort Lauderdale last Monday
Campoy leads the way with three goals for six points, while Matias Barraza is the Panthers' leader in assists with three
Grant Makela and Johan Peñaranda have split time in net, playing 135 minutes each. Peñaranda leads in goals against average with 0.67, while Makela has a 0.750 save percentage and six saves

Match History

FAU trails in the series, as FIU has a 36-5-2 advantage
The Owls' last win over the Panthers came in 2013, as FAU defeated FIU, 2-1 in Boca Raton
FAU and FIU have faced off almost every single year since the first of the Owls' program, in 1980
In last year's matchup, the Owls' led off the match with a goal by Tom Abrahamsson. That 1-0 lead did not last for long, as FIU scored six unanswered to defeat FAU, 6-1, while the Owls had to play with 10 men for majority of the match

Last Time on the Pitch

The Owls forced a draw at Florida Gulf Coast in dramatic fashion. With the Owls trailing 1-0, Coello Camarero found Dean to capture the game-tying goal with 14.5 seconds on the clock
The goal forced the game into overtime and ended in a 1-1 draw at the end of the second overtime period
Coello Camarero, Dean, Cubeddu, Strauber, Skistad, Pratt, Arturo Ernand and Vasilis Spinos played all 110 minutes in the match
FAU outshot FGCU, 10-6

With Coach Worthen

"An area we addressed in the offseason is needing to get results on the road," said head coach Joey Worthen. "I've a lot of confidence doing that in this non-conference part of the season. To still be undefeated, to go on the road to Jacksonville and (Florida) Gulf Coast and get results was huge. It was great prep going into the conference part of the season to go play these tough opponents on the road and have a different mindset and mentality as we do that. The guys have shown that we can do that. You look at these games against the conference opponents on the road is another opportunity to go and make a statement."

Up Next

After a full month away from FAU Soccer Stadium, the Owls will face Kentucky on Saturday, March 13 at 2 p.m. All game days and times are subject to change.

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