HIALEAH, Fla. ( Nov. 2, 2023) – The No. 12 Florida National University men’s soccer team will have to end a spectacular season with a 3-0 loss to the NCAA DII Barry University Buccaneers. The Bucs (10-4-1) have found real life in the second half of the season and are currently ranked No. 19 in the NCAA DII Poll. For FNU (10-2-4), this was its second loss this season with its first coming against the now No. 3 St. Thomas University Bobcats in late August.
In the opening half, Barry got its first goal on the scoreboard at Buccaneers Field with four minutes left in the half. Barry’s Oier Calvillo crossed a pass from the left side of the field for a wicked kick towards the right center of the net from Iker Berruezo that past Juan Manuel Fermoselle.
Barry’s defense essentially shut down the Conquistadors, holding FNU to just three shots in the half. This is no easy feat, as FNU averages just over 20 shots per contest this season. The Bucs were relentless on the offensive side of the ball, forcing five corners while FNU attempted just one.
After halftime, 13 seconds into the period, a mistake from FNU’s backline allowed Barry’s Michele Villanova to slide in a leading pass for a goal from David Polanco. This uncharacteristic error on defense was reminiscent of FNU’s 1-0 loss to Bellevue last year in the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) Championship match. A defensive misstep in the opening seconds of that match led to Bellevue taking home back-to-back CAC titles.
Forward Manuel Rodriguez tried to get things going again for FNU with a dangerous volley that was off the mark. With under four minutes left to play, Francisco Crimi and Bautista Dominguez had a couple of good-looking attempts at goal that were unable to materialize into a much-needed goal.
At the 87:51 minute mark, Barry’s Nicolas Villalobos made it a 3-0 affair with a goal tucked in the right corner of the net, assisted by Roy Shohat. Barry took just three shots in the second half and FNU ended the evening with 10 shots to Barry’s 13. Fermoselle had three saves in the loss.
Up Next: FNU heads back to Lawrenceville, Ga., for the CAC Tournament from Nov. 9-11.
