University of North Florida
FIU
Men’s Soccer Set to Play Pair of In-State Foes
9/15/2011 12:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida men's soccer team is set to play two matches over the weekend against a pair of in-state opponents. The Ospreys open up the weekend on the road against FIU (Friday, Sept. 16 – 7 p.m.) before concluding the weekend with a home match against Florida Atlantic (Sunday, Sept. 18 – 4 p.m.) at Hodges Stadium.
North Florida is joining millions of Americans celebrating Youth Soccer Month during Sunday's match. Youth Soccer Month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of playing soccer. The ninth annual Youth Soccer Month message is “Get Out! Get Fit! Get Active!” Playing soccer is a great way to stay healthy. The University of North Florida men's soccer team and the Osprey fans are proud to support this effort and further the goals of Youth Soccer Month. For more information on Youth Soccer Month, click here.
Friday night's match against the Panthers will mark the first meeting between the two schools.
The Ospreys and Owls have met on the soccer pitch three times with FAU claiming a trio of one-goal victories. In the first ever meeting between the two schools, Florida Atlantic edge North Florida 1-0 back in 2005 at Hodges Stadium. The two teams have played each of the last two seasons with FAU earning a 3-2 victory in 2009 in Jacksonville and a 2-1 win in Boca Raton in 2010.
North Florida enters the weekend with a 1-4-0 overall record. The match against FIU will conclude a five-match road swing for the Ospreys. FIU enters the weekend at 2-2-2 overall, while Florida Atlantic is 3-2-1. The Owls will play at Georgia State on Friday night, before squaring off against UNF on Sunday.
After opening the season at Hodges Stadium, the Ospreys have played four consecutive matches on the road, earning a 1-0 shutout victory against Longwood.
FIU enters the weekend with a .500 record. The Panthers defeated Nova Southeastern (W, 2-0) to begin the season before earning a 1-1 draw with Florida Atlantic. FIU lost back-to-back matches against a pair of Big 10 opponents in Columbus, Ohio in the Wolstein Classic – L, 3-1 vs. Ohio State and L, 1-0 vs. Penn State. The Panthers returned home for a double-overtime victory over Stetson (W, 3-2), before playing even with Jacksonville (T, 1-1).
Florida Atlantic heads into the weekend with a winning record, but play a match against Georgia State in Atlanta, Ga. before playing North Florida. The Owls opened the season on the road with a victory over No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast (W, 3-1) before tying the Panthers (T, 1-1). After back-to-back losses to James Madison (L, 1-0) and St. Bonaventure (L, 2-0), FAU recorded a pair of victories against Jacksonville (W, 3-1) and Stetson (W, 2-1).
