CONWAY, Ark. – Staying on the road for another nationally ranked match on Friday, the Central Arkansas men's soccer team heads to Miami, Fla., to take on the No. 7 ranked FIU Panthers. It marks the second-straight match that features a nationally ranked opponent away from Conway for the Bears, who continue through a slew of tough opponents. Kickoff against the Panthers is set for 6 p.m. CT in Miami.
 
Monday's match against No. 19 SMU was a learning experience for the Bears (0-2), who feature a plethora of players new to the Division I ranks; Central Arkansas fell 5-0 to the Mustangs, providing a heck of a lesson for those who hadn't truly experienced the competition level of Division I. That test only continues on Friday against the Panthers.
 
But the Bears were not without chances against the Mustangs; newcomer Tajio James put two shots on goal, and Pietro Fontana fired a shot off the post late in the game. Central Arkansas has had success moving the ball into attacking space with the long ball and letting the stable of athletes chase balls down or dispossess defenders in bad situations. The next step is completing those plays, finding quality shots and finishing tough looks.
 
FIU enters the weekend ranked seventh in the nation, having a 2-0 record after defeating RV Oregon State and VCU already. The win over VCU saw four Panthers score goals, as FIU outshot the Rams 22-6, including a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Eduardo Mustre is the only player on the team to score multiple goals through two matches, scoring both goals in the 2-1 win over the Beavers. Mustre is a new addition to a team that made the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. The Panthers were a tough out at home last season, posting a 9-2 record on their home pitch.
 
First touch against FIU is set for 6 p.m. CT at FIU Soccer Stadium. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+, with live stats available online.