FMU Men Ready To Return To Pitch, Travel To Southeastern Thursday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (0-3, 0-2) at Southeastern University Fire (5-2, 3-2)
When: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Where: Southeastern University, Lakeland, Fla. | SEU Soccer Field
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last Meeting: Nov. 2, 2019, Won 1-0
Live Stream: https://team1sports.com/southeasternfire/
Live Stats: https://fire.seu.edu/sidearmstats/msoc/summary

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – It's said that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

After what has been a three-week respite, Florida Memorial University's men's soccer is essentially champing at the bit to return to the pitch.

Rested and ready to return, FMU will travel to Lakeland, Florida to take on Sun Conference foe Southeastern University Thursday night for a 7 p.m. game on SEU's Soccer Field.

Thursday's game will be the first for the Lions since September 23, when they battled St. Thomas University to a bitter 1-0 loss.

The extended hiatus did come with a much-needed positive for FMU, though. Florida Memorial (0-3, 0-2 Sun Conference) had been bitten – hard – by the proverbial injury bug, having lost its starting goalkeeper and its defenseman-turned-backup goalkeeper both to injuries.

The Lions were relegated to playing another defender-turned-goalie in the net when they turned to Pete Afato. Playing the position for the first time in his entire soccer career, Afato recorded two saves and largely kept the St. Thomas University offense in check.

Because of the break, Florida Memorial's lineup should return to its more intended and traditional form heading into Thursday match with the Fire.

In Southeastern, the Lions will be taking on team that will be playing its second game in as many days. The Fire took on Webber International University Wednesday and will have to turn around just over 24 hours later to take on the hungry Lions.

Southeastern (5-2, 3-2) has been a tough team to beat at home this season, going a perfect 4-0 on its home pitch while outscoring opponents 14-2 in that span.

FMU has had a decent amount of success against the Fire historically, however. The Lions own the all-time series (6-5) between the programs after being awarded a victory via a Fire forfeit from their Nov. 2, 2019 meeting.

Thursday, Florida Memorial interim men's soccer coach Chris Pinot will be looking to lead the Lions to their first on-field victory over Southeastern since 2014.

Follow Florida Memorial University Athletics on social media
Instagram: @GoFMULions/@MensSoccerFMU | Twitter: @GoFMULions/@MensSoccerFMU | YouTube: Official FMU Lions

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Players Mentioned

#2 Pete Afato: DEF; 5' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#2 Pete Afato
: 5' 9"; Senior
: DEF

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#2 Pete Afato

Players Mentioned

#2 Pete Afato