FIU Drops Tightly Contested NCAA Second Round Match at Virginia, 2-1

11.19.23

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The FIU men's soccer team fell short in the NCAA second round match, losing 2-1 in overtime to the No. 7 seed Virginia Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams were tied at one after 90 minutes of regulation, with Virginia scoring the eventual game-winner in the 93rd minute of extra time.

The Panthers battled against the ACC foe, holding the Cavaliers to just one shot in the first half. 

Virginia netted the opening goal in the 36th minute on a score by Leo Afonso. Yet, the Panthers immediately stormed back as just three minutes later in the 39th minute, graduate student Kasper Skraep crossed a deep ball to Joao Domingues into the box, scoring with his right foot to equalize the game at one. It marks the first career goal in the NCAA tournament for the All-Conference honoree and second overall on the season.

Into the second half, both teams fought for possession as the Panthers defense continued to hold Virginia to just a shot off in the last 45 minutes of regulation.
 
In the first 10-minute period of overtime, Virginia found the back of the net as Afonso notched his second goal of the game as the Cavaliers came away with the victory.

For the Sunday matinee, FIU outshot Virginia 12-5, as junior Eduardo Mustre led in shots with four and Andrew Bennett paced with three on the afternoon.

The Panthers end their 2023 campaign with ten wins for the third consecutive season.