ATLANTA--The Georgia State men's soccer team moved to 5-1-1, its best start since the 2003 season, with a thrilling 3-2 victory over FIU Sunday afternoon at Panthersville.

Goals from sophomore Peter Vania, redshirt senior Ayokunle Lumpkin and the game winner from junior Yasser Majluf led the Panthers over FIU (3-3-2). Georgia State now hasn't dropped a decision in five-consecutive matches.

Redshirt freshman C.J. Cochran made eight saves in his third straight start to earn the victory. The Panthers head into conference play after back-to-back wins this weekend.

"It was an exciting game," Georgia State head coach Brett Surrency said, "Towards the end we could have done a better job managing the game, but that's something we get to work on this week heading into conference play."

Georgia State begins Colonial Athletic Association play Saturday at Delaware (7 p.m.).

"We're confident and playing well going into conference play at 5-1-1 now," Surrency said, "But now is when it matters. It's nice to be 5-1-1, but you throw it out the window because everybody in the CAA is 0-0 in conference. We're excited. We circled the Delaware game on the calendar a long time ago."

Vania opened the scoring after he corralled an attempted clear that ricocheted to his feet mere yards from the net. The defender, pinched in for a corner kick, drilled home the loose ball to give GSU the 1-0 lead just 4:42 into the match.

Lumpkin added to the lead in the 50th minute after sophomore Evan Scott deked a defender on the right and centered him a ball. One-on-one with FIU goalkeeper Eric Reyes, Lumpkin chipped the ball into the left side of the net to add to GSU's lead.

"It was a great build up, the pressure was great," Lumpkin said, "I passed it to Evan and he gave me a good ball back and I put it away."

Less than six minutes after GSU conceded the first FIU score, Majluf took a through ball from sophomore Jamal Keene to the left just inside the 18-yard box. Majluf roofed a shot that beat Reyes short side just inside the post to put GSU back up by two.

"We all thought he was going to try and drive a cross to Evan, and instead he snuck it in near post," Surrency said, "I think he caught the goalie a bit off guard. It was a great goal."

FIU held a 24-10 advantage in shots for the match. Freshman defender Arnthor Kristinsson scored in the 70th minute and Quentin Albrecht in the 85th minute, off an assist from Lucas Di Croce, for FIU.

The Panthers have one remaining non-conference opponent in NC State on Sept. 27. Check www.GeorgiaStateSports.com this week for a preview of GSU's conference opener.

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