FNU soccer player Mateo Cigaina.
FNU ends CAC battle in a stalemate. (Oct. 13, 2023)

(Box Score

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. ( Oct. 13, 2023) – Florida National University’s men’s soccer team (8-1-4) exits the Continental Athletic Conference’s (CAC) Classic hosted by Georgia Gwinnett College (5-4-4) with two draws. No. 12 FNU fell short of a victory Friday after giving up a late goal to No. 24 Georgia Gwinnett for the 1-1 tie in Lawrenceville, Ga. Washington Adventist University gave both teams issues early in their tournament play, hanging GGC a 1-0 loss and escaping with a scoreless draw against FNU.

The first half was a 0-0 affair with both teams putting up four shots before halftime. FNU’s goalie Juan Manuel Fermoselle had two saves in the period, while goalie Andreas von Muecke recorded two saves on shots from Vinicius Mallmann and Pedro Navarro

When play continued after halftime, a foul in the penalty box from GGC granted defender Ricardo Delwing the opportunity to give his team a lead just 10 minutes into the period. Delwing showed great poise from the penalty marker and sank in his third goal of the season. Six minutes after the score, GGC would have to play with just 10 men on the field after Aleksandar Rajkovic was issued a red card.

With 78:17 on the clock, Marcos Bakale tried to double FNU’s lead but quickly had his hopes dashed by von Muecke. The game-saving moment for the Grizzlies came with four minutes left on the clock, as Diego Milessi’s third goal of the season forced both teams to settle for a 1-1 draw in conference play. 

GGC had nine shots through both halves while FNU had seven. The Grizzlies attempted seven corners and FNU forced only one corner attempt the entire contest. 

Up Next: FNU has its final home game of the regular season on Oct. 20 versus the Johnson University Suns at 1 p.m.