MIAMI - The Missouri State Bears men's soccer team (3-2-2, 1-1) fell to the FIU Panthers (4-2-2, 1-0) on Sunday night, with a 1-0 scoreline. In a fiercely contested match, the Panthers scored a lone goal in the 71st minute to secure victory. 

Difficult weather conditions affected the field before the start of the match, delaying the start time by two and a half hours. Regardless, both teams came out of the blocks with aggression and fought for opportunities to attack. At the six-minute mark, junior Adrián Esteban shot on goal but was blocked by the Panthers' goalkeeper. 

In the 22nd minute, senior Will Lowry made a pivotal save to keep the scoreboard tied. Lowry's 0.64 goals against average is currently on pace to top Michael Creek's 0.69 from 2018-21 for the program's career record (min. 1600 minutes). 

At halftime, the score was locked at 0-0. An additional weather delay due to issues with the field prolonged the half-time break. 

In the 57th minute, senior Fumiya Shiraishi attempted a shot on goal, which was blocked by the Panthers' goalkeeper. Eventually, FIU used an opening in the 71st minute to score a goal that decided the match. In the 78th minute, senior Daniele Verdirosi also made an effort with a shot on goal but was denied with another save by the Panthers' goalkeeper. 

At the completion of the match, the Bears recorded nine total shots with three on goal, and the Panthers recorded four with two on goal. FIU made a total of three saves, and the Bears made one. 

The Missouri State Bears will face UAB next on the road in Birmingham, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7:00 p.m.