Originally posted on FIUsports.com
FIU senior Carlos Scheckerman scored an epic one-goal penalty shootout in the 12th round to lead the No. 10-seeded FIU men’s soccer team to a thrilling NCAA second-round win over New Hampshire on Sunday night in Miami.
The Panthers captured the shootout, which included a stretch in which each team scored in eight straight rounds, by a 10–9 lead.
The 19 total shootout goals were the most in a NCAA men’s soccer championship game since Michigan and Notre Dame combined 21 goals in 2018.
The Panthers are now advancing to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Championship for the first time since 2003, where they take on 7th seed Duke on Sunday, November 27 at 1:00pm ET at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, NC.
This is the third time the Panthers have advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament and the first time since 2003. The FIU also defeated Cal State-Northridge on penalties that season to advance to the third round, where they came from of UCLA were defeated 0-2.
The Panthers own a 1-1 aggregate record in the NCAA third round.
The FIU got past the third round once in the history of the program. In 1996, the Panther’s made it to the championship game, defeating Indiana in the round of 16 before finally losing to St. John’s in the final.
On Sunday the two sides were tied at 1-1 and the result remained tied after 20 minutes of extra time after each side scored to make it 2-2 and set up the drama of the penalty shoot-out.
FIU benefited from an own goal by New Hampshire’s Chris Pinkham in the 95th minute of extra time to take a 2-1 lead.
New Hampshire responded to a tally by Rory O’Driscoll from a free-kick just outside the box in the 107th minute of the second overtime, blocking the game 2-2.
senior forward Rasmus Tobinsky scored the first goal of the game and put the FIU ahead in the 14th minute. Tobinski fought his way in front of the New Hampshire goal and tapped a cross Philip Hildebrandt.
UNH responded with several chances in the second half before leveling with an own goal in the 64th minute. New Hampshire’s O’Driscoll sent a cross to the near post that collided with several players and eventually found the back of the net.
graduate student Matt Levy came off the bench after extra time to be the man in goal in the penalty shootout. He would go on to make two saves, stopping the first attempt and making a save in the 12th round that eventually resulted in victory.
After 120 minutes of action, the Panthers overtook the Wildcats 15-10 and six to three on shots.
The FIU also saved more shots on the night with Freshman Kevin Harr Four saves against Jassem Koleilat. The Wildcats had a slight advantage on corner kicks, 11 to 8.
NEXT
The Panthers will head out next week to take on No. 7 Duke on Sunday, November 27 at 1:00 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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