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Florida National University

Scoreboard

Juan Pugin on the offensive attack with a ball against Florida College.
2
Winner Florida Memorial (FL) FMU (1-0-0)
1
Florida National (FL) FNU (0-1-0)
Winner
Florida Memorial (FL) FMU
(1-0-0)
2
Final
1
Florida National (FL) FNU
(0-1-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Florida Memorial (FL) FMU 1 1 2
Florida National (FL) FNU 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Brenda Bogle

Pugin’s first-half heroics not enough to keep FMU Lions at bay in 2-1 loss

HIALEAH, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2026) — Florida National men's soccer (0-1-0) posted just its second-ever defeat to the Florida Memorial University Lions (1-0-0), giving up an 81st-minute goal to open the 2026 season with a 2-1 loss.

Florida National started the 2026 season with a smartly crafted goal from captain Juan Pugin. The midfielder took advantage of an abandoned goal by keeper Juan Mora, connecting on a beautiful high-arching shot in the 13th minute of the match. Emotions were high between these two rivals, as the Lions picked up an early yellow card on a dangerous challenge by Jared Arevalo.

The Lions were not easily deterred, forcing the issue throughout the remainder of the half on offense till they found their equalizer with five minutes left in the period. Gabriel Zapata used a brilliant pass by Rafael Coronado into the center of the box to lace his first goal of 2026. Florida National ended the frame with four shots, and FMU headed to the locker room with three attempts at goal.

In the second half, tensions rose, and bookings by the referee became a usual occurrence. Two minutes of play in the half was all it took for Sergio Alvarez to pick up a yellow before Drew McDermid and Denis Silva picked up back-to-back yellows within a minute of each other.

On offense, FNU seemed unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities in their counterattack throughout the final minutes. FMU was more aggressive in crunch time, breaking through in the 81st on a pass by Zapata that set up Arevalo for the game-winner.

In the spirit of added drama, FMU played the final six minutes with 10 men after Juan Rizo picked up his second yellow of the period. Unfortunately, FNU could not lace one in the back of the net to salvage its first taste of play on home turf.

FNU is now 0-2-1 against the Lions since 2024 and ended Thursday's match with 13 shots to FMU's six.

Up Next: No. 20-ranked William Carey University (Miss.) hosts Florida National Aug. 26 at 8:30 p.m.

 
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