Stephen Afrifa dazzles, logs a brace
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Sept. 3, 2022) –FIU’s No. 24 ranked men’s soccer team collected its second straight victory over a Top 25 opponent on Saturday night, with an impressive victory over No. 13 UNC in Chapel Hill.
FIU’s record improved to 2-1 on the year, while UNC fell to 2-1. The Blue & Gold also evened up the all-time series with the Tar Heels at 3-3.
“This was a complete team win that the boys dug deep to earn,” said Head Coach Kyle Russell. “
The Panthers were propelled by a dazzling performance by Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree Stephen Afrifa, who netted both of FIU’s goals in the match.
“Stephen showed up in a big way tonight,” said Coach Russell. “He can score on anyone in the country, and he proved that tonight.”
In the 24th minute, the Panthers won possession and created a run following an attempt by UNC to clear the ball out of their own box. David Garcia got a touch on the cleared ball at midfield, sending a great header forward into the attacking third for Yushi Nagao, who streaked down the right wing and sent in a pin-point cross for the scoring Afrifa.
Kevin Harr collected three saves in the opening period to keep the Tar Heels off the board before halftime.
Following the break, Afrifa logged his second goal with an unbelievable strike that put the Panthers up 2-0 in the 62nd minute. Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro launched a cross from the left side this time, catching Afrifa dead center inside the box all alone with his defender. Afrifa fielded the ball effortlessly with his back turned to the goal, spun around to his left and sent a missile to the top right corner with the goalkeeper frozen and unable to make any effort.
FIU wound up letting in a goal in the 70th minute and lost the clean sheet, but the Blue & Gold defense held strong the rest of the way to earn an inspiring victory against a top-15 opponent.
With only two minutes left to play, UNC was able to penetrate deep into the Panthers’ attacking third in search of an equalizer, but two big blocks by the Panther defenders and a clutch clear off a set piece helped FIU stave off the Tar Heels.
Nagao and Dos Santos Monteiro each collected their first assists of the year.
David Garcia, who made several monumental defensive plays to help keep the Tar Heel attackers at bay, logged a full 90 minutes in the match. Edgar Aguilar and Matteo Gasperoni also played a full 90.
UP NEXT
The Panthers are welcomed back at FIU Soccer Stadium this Tuesday, Sept. 6, for an exciting matchup against in-state foe UNF. First kick against the Ospreys is set for 7 p.m. ET.
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