Tulsa Men’s Soccer Downed 3-1

Sunday, September 29

Miami, Fla.

6 p.m.

Tulsa

1-7-1, 0-2-0

Florida International

3-4-2, 1-1-0

Tulsa

FIU

Tulsa Men’s Soccer Downed 3-1

9/29/2024 11:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MIAMI, Fla.. – Playing a man down for the final 35 minutes of Sunday evening's game, Florida International scored late twice to beat the Golden Hurricane men's soccer team 3-1 at FIU Soccer Stadium.

Tulsa falls to 1-7-1 on the season and 0-2-0 in the American Athletic Conference play. Florida International moves to 3-4-2 on the year and is 1-1 in The American play.

FIU led 1-0 early in the second half when Mathys Lefebvre earned two cautions in 10 minutes to get sent off and leaving the Panthers a man down. Tulsa equalized just four minutes later and seemed on the front foot. FIU withstood the Tulsa attack and then scored goals in the 84^th and 86^th minutes to topple the Hurricane.

Ander Bengoetxea made the most of his 26 minutes of action, putting two shots on target and scoring his second goal of the season and his first from open play. This was also Tulsa's first road goal of the year. He was one of four Golden Hurricane to put a shot on target against the Panthers.

TU put five shots on target, while FIU only managed four. Alex Lopez was in goal for the Hurricane and made a save. Nigel Van Haveren allowed a goal and made four saves to preserve the win for the hosts.

How it Happened
Tulsa again fell victim to the early goal, as Mathys Lefebvre smashed a rocket of a shot with his left foot into the bottom left corner of the net to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.

Lefebvre was the key man in a big moment later in the match. He was cautioned for a foul less than a minute into the second half. Nine minutes later, he was involved in a collision with Clement Badger near midfield. Trying to reach a ball, Lefebvre instead planted his studs on Badger's right hip, earning another caution and an early end to his evening.

The Hurricane did not take long to capitalize. Tulsa drew a foul just outside the attacking third in the 58^th minute. Aimar Membrila lifted the free kick into the box and it was knocked out toward the top of the box. John Dalby headed the ball back toward the goal from the top of the box. His header landed between a group of players and Ander Bengoetxea beat everyone, including the goalkeeper, to the ball. He kept his composure to touch it past the man in net before placing his shot in the bottom right corner of the net.

Tulsa continued to put pressure on FIU up a man, and it seemed it was anyone's game.

Early in the 84^th minute, FIU earned a free kick, taken from the right side by Diego Castillo. His cross into the box went to the far post and met the foot of David Houja, who beat Lopez to his near post with a left-footed effort to go up 2-1.

Ron Arie added an insurance goal in the 86^th minute off an assist from Adrian Barosen.

From there, it was just a matter of the Panthers holding on for the final whistle before officially taking the 3-1 win.

Game Notes

TU falls to 1-7-1 on the season and 0-2 in The American.
Tulsa drops to 11-2-2 against the Panthers all-time and has not won in the previous three meetings.
The Hurricane has gone winless in its past six games.
Ander Bengoetxea scored his second goal with the Golden Hurricane and first from open play when he beat everyone to John Dalby's header.
Tulsa has given up a first half goal in each game except the season opener.
Tulsa has allowed at least one goal in the first 10 minutes of each of the past four games.
The Hurricane has been outscored 15-3 in the first half this season.

Scoring Summary
Tulsa 0 1 - 1
FIU 1 2 - 3

Individual Scoring
Mathys Lefebvre (FIU) at 6:17
Ander Bengoetxea (Tulsa) at 58:02
David Houja (FAU) at 83:03 – Diego Castillo
Ron Arie (FAU*) at 85:31 – Adrian Barosen

Goalkeeper Saves
Alex Lopez (Tulsa) – 1
Nigel Van Haveren (FIU) – 4