IRVING, Texas – Behind a strong offensive attack, the No. 1 seed FIU advanced to the American Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship final with a 1-0 win over fifth-seeded Memphis on Thursday, November 10 at the FIU Soccer Stadium.
 
FIU (12-4-1) advances to the final with the win and will face No. 3 South Florida on Sunday, November 13 at 1 p.m. ET/noon CT on ESPN+. Memphis moves to 9-5-5 on the season.
 
After winning the regular season title in their first season, FIU will now have a shot at the tournament championship in their inaugural season in The American.
 
The match stood scoreless at halftime despite a flurry of Panther shots.  FIU outshot Memphis 10-1 in the first half, but Tiger goalkeeper Colin Welsh came away with two saves to keep the score even at the break.
 
The FIU attack would its way home in the second half. Stephen Afrifa broke the tie in the 52^nd minute, using his speed to sprint to the Memphis goalkeeper and steal the ball from him before finding the back of the net to put the Panthers up 1-0.
 
The Panthers would finish the night with 21 shots and seven shots on goal against Memphis’s 6 totals shots and one on goal. Welsh came away with six saves on the night for the Tigers, while Kevin Harr had one save for the Panthers.
 
2022 American Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Championship Schedule
First round at campus sites
Semifinals and final at home site of the No. 1 seed FIU
(all times Eastern)
 
First Round - Sunday, November 6
Game 1 - No. 3 South Florida 2, No. 6 Charlotte 1
Game 2 - No. 5 Memphis 2, No. 4 Tulsa 1 (OT)
 
Semifinals - Thursday, November 10
Game 3 – No. 3 South Florida 1, No. 2 SMU 0
Game 4 – No. 1 FIU 1, No. 5 Memphis 0
 
Championship Final - Sunday, November 13
Game 5 – No. 3 South Florida at No. 1 FIU | 1 P.M. ET | ESPN+