LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (Nov. 9, 2024)— Florida National (5-7-2) dominated the Carolina University Bruins (10-2-2) in the first round of the 2024 Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) Men's Soccer Championship. This was the first meeting between these two squads and the first CAC tournament appearance for the Bruins.

FNU set the tempo in the first half after leading goal-scorer Filipe Sette Ribeiro recorded the first score for the Conquistadors in the 7th minute. Sette Ribeiro connected on a ricocheted shot by Nicolas Martinez that hit the crossbar a landed right at the Brazilian's foot. The Bruins responded with blazing crosses into the penalty area that seemed to miss the mark with every attempt. 

The Conquistadors continued to press Carolina's defense and their second goal of the evening came courtesy of Marcos Bakale on a deflected pass. In the crowded 18-yard box, the senior kept his composure and laced his fourth goal of 2024. FNU allowed just three shots in the opening period and gave CU's keeper Joshua Wilson a tough assignment. The seasoned goalie posted one save at the break and ended his night with four. 

In the second period, FNU's freshman midfielder Jose Luis Hurtado found the back of the net on a free kick to seal FNU's 3-0 victory with 31 minutes left on the clock. Juan Manuel Fermoselle was under more pressure as the game slipped out of the Bruins' reach. He faced seven shots and picked up a save on a crisp November night in Lawrenceville, Ga.

FNU has now won at least one match at the CAC Tournament for four consecutive seasons. 

Up Next: FNU meets tournament host (RV) GGC in the conference semifinal round for a Veteran's Day match-up at 2 p.m.