MIAMI, Fla. – Despite playing the final 20 minutes with only 10 men on the field, the Central Arkansas men's soccer team battled out a scoreless draw against the No. 7 FIU Panthers Friday night. To slow down a nationally ranked team, it took a total team effort in stymying the Panthers attack.
 
The draw moved the Bears to 0-2-1 after 90 minutes of intense play. FIU outshot the Bears 17-5, but a terrific outing by Connor Wachtel in goal kept the Panthers from finding the back of the net.
 
FIU wasted little time testing the Bears' defense, forcing saves from Wachtel in the tenth and 14^th minutes. But the sophomore keeper was quick on his feet and sharp in his decision making, keeping the early attempts out.
 
Jerry Gutierrez put a shot on goal midway through the first, representing the lone on target shot in the first half for Central Arkansas. The 31^st minute shot almost cleared the keeper's gloves at the top of the bar, but the Panther was able to keep it clear of the net. But as the half progressed, FIU continued to push forward, letting loose on a few more shots before the halftime whistle. When the dust cleared on the first 45, FIU had five shots on goal, all of them saved by Wachtel.
 
The second half opened the way the first did, FIU pressing forward for shots. This time, Tajio James nearly scored on a counter attack, putting a shot on goal in the 53^rd minute. Wachtel and the defense continued to shine, maintaining the scoreless draw with the nationally ranked Panthers as the match got deeper.
 
Tragedy struck in the 71^st minute when, attempting a quick restart on a foul, the Panthers caught a Bear in a bad position, earning a second yellow and dropping the team to ten men. Down a player to a nationally ranked team on the road, the Bears had every reason to fold, as the circumstances levied against them mounted. But galvanized by the prospect of victory, the team pressed on, dropping back into space and playing airtight defense.
 
Leaving Devonte Richards all alone up top, the Barbadian actually had several near-chances to steal a goal, with the defense clearing the ball to a sprinting Richards, who just couldn't get past the last few defenders for clean shots.
 
With seven seconds left, the Panthers had one final attempt at a game-stealing goal, but the shot went high over the crossbar, essentially ending the game. With it, the Bears survived one of the most challenging matches of the year, taking a scoreless draw against a top-10 opponent on its home field.
 
The Bears return home on Monday, facing Memphis in a rematch of a high-scoring affair from last season. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for 6 p.m. at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex.