Miami Herald (Sunday)

FIU men beat Marshall to earn C-USA top seed

- From Miami Herald Staff, Wires — MICHELLE KAUFMAN

The 19th-ranked FIU men’s soccer team scored one of its biggest upsets in program history Friday night, knocking off No. 1 ranked and defending national champion Marshall 4-1 in front of a soldout crowd at FIU Soccer Stadium.

With the win, the Panthers secured the Conference USA regular season championsh­ip and enter the conference tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the No. 1 seed. FIU is 12-2-2 and unbeaten in the conference (7-0-1).

“It is hard to put into words how exciting and fun tonight was,” FIU coach Kyle Russell said. “Our field, our bleachers, our stadium — it was packed.

“The band, the cheerleade­rs, the alumni, friends of the family, the student body, there was nowhere to sit tonight, it was completely packed. It was an incredible atmosphere for soccer.”

Marshall took an early lead with a penalty kick in the 13th minute, but FIU scored two first-half goals and another two in the second half. Mauro Bravo had a goal and an assist for the Panthers. The other three goals were scored by Rasmus Tobinski, Stephen Afrifa and Matteo Gasperoni.

ETC.

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