TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. ( Oct. 17, 2023) – Two bittersweet conference draws at the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) classic last week set up a brilliant comeback for Florida National University’s men’s soccer team. The No. 12 Conquistadors put up a 2-0 win against the Florida College Falcons Tuesday thanks to much-needed goals from Manuel Rodriguez and Mateo Mantchoff.
Through FNU’s last two contests, the Conquistadors struggled to finish plays, settling for ties versus Washington Adventist University and No. 24 Georgia Gwinnett College.
It didn’t take long, however, for Florida National to get a goal on the board, as Rodriguez laced in a goal for the Conquistadors thanks to a crafty assist from midfielder Tomas Barrancos. Ten minutes later, Marcos Bakale had a chance to score a goal of his own before FC keeper Markus Sundin recorded the save. Before the break, FNU recorded nine shots, forced three Falcon saves and took one corner kick.
In the second half, Blas Barrancos had two shots blocked by Sundin late in the period and all signs pointed to a 1-0 FNU victory. That was until an 89th-minute score from Mantchoff iced out the Falcons and solidified FNU’s second CAC win of 2023. Fellow forward Francisco Crimi picked up the assist.
FNU goalkeeper Juan Manuel Fermoselle faced three shots on goal for the evening and recorded three saves.
Up Next: Florida National has its final home game of 2023 on Friday at 1 p.m. versus the Johnson University Suns.
