HIALEAH, Fla. ( Sept. 2, 2023) – No. 21 Florida National University’s men’s soccer team racks up another early season win against a Sun Conference rival Saturday. The Conquistadors (4-1-0) handed the Gyrenes (0-3-0) a 4-2 loss en route to a 2-1 record at Milander Park in 2023.
Just 19 minutes into the first half, Florida National got on the board first as striker Nicolas Martinez found the back of the net off a cross and stellar passes from Vinicius Mallmann and Francisco Crimi. But with just 14 minutes left in the half, the Gyrenes’ Luis Mendoza pelted in a header off a corner kick from AMU captain Cade Williams to make it a 1-1 game.
Both teams would have to settle for the draw heading to the locker rooms for halftime. FNU tallied 14 shots in the first period along with two corners. AMU had three corner kicks attempted but just three shots. Second-half substitute Marcos Bakale provided some much-needed offense off the bench, nailing FNU’s second goal of the afternoon on an assist from Christian Omar Hernandez. The Conquistadors continued to turn defense into offense, going on the counterattack faster than AMU’s defense could manage.
This lighting-quick offense was on full display as Ricardo Delwing tapped in an FNU goal on assists from Bautista Dominguez and Marcos Bakale. With the score standing at 3-1, AMU caused some concern after a Bakale foul in the penalty box allowed the Gyrenes’ Edwin Parraga to knock in a penalty to make it a one-score game with 13 minutes left to play.
But a game-sealing goal from Crimi on the counterattack with four minutes remaining ended putting all hopes of an AMU upset to rest. FNU had another outing of 20 shots or more, collecting 27 to the Gyrenes’ seven. Goalkeeper Vitor Caetano Pedrosa faced five shots on goal and collected two saves.
Up Next: Men’s soccer travels to Mount Vernon, Ga., for a 2 p.m. game versus Point University Sept. 9.
