MIAMI - The FIU men's soccer team started the year on a high note with a 2-0 victory over the Nova Southeastern Sharks Friday night at the FIU Soccer Stadium in Miami, Fla.

"It's important to start the season with a win," Head Coach Munga Eketebi said. "This win is great for our confidence moving on in the season."

Even though the 2011 squad is comprised of 17 underclassmen, it was the elder statesmen of the team who showed the young guns how it's done. Senior Lucas Di Croce and junior Sebastian Frings each scored goals against the Sharks Friday evening.

Di Croce netted the first goal of the season in the 4^th minute of the match on a great ball from senior Mario Uribe. Uribe served the ball up to Di Croce in the box who then controlled it with his chest and lofted the ball over the NSU keeper to give the Panthers an early 1-0 advantage.

After going into the half up a score, Frings gave the Panthers some breathing room in the 64^th minute when freshmen Colby Burdette found Frings in the box, before the junior delicately chipped the ball over NSU's keeper for a 2-0 lead that FIU would never relinquish.

"I'm real happy for Sebastian," Eketebi said. "This is a great sign that he put last year behind him and we expect him to keep improving every day and have a great year."

In all, the Panthers out-shot the Sharks 14-7. Sophomore goalkeeper Eric Reyes notched his first-career FIU shutout in his first start between the posts for the Panthers. He had two saves. Frings led FIU with four shots (three on goal) while Uribe was a close second with three.

The FIU men's soccer team will return to the pitch on Sunday, Aug. 28 against Florida Atlantic. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at the FIU Soccer Stadium.

For ticket information, call the FIU Ticket Office at 305-FIU-GAME or log onto www.FIUSports.com.

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