FMU MSOC Facing Must-Win Situation Saturday Against Warner University

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (2-7-1, 2-4-1) vs. Warner University Royals (8-4-4, 3-2-2)
When: Saturday, October 30, 2021
Where: Miami Gardens, Fla. | Dr. Lester Brown Park
Kickoff: 12 p.m.
Last Meeting: Oct. 2, 2019, Loss, 0-4
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link
Tickets: General Admission – Free

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – With heavy postseason implications on the line, Florida Memorial University holds its destiny in its own hands this weekend as it will be a "win and in" situation for the Lions as they host Warner University Saturday afternoon for a 12 p.m. match at Dr. Lester Brown Park.

FMU currently sits in the No. 6 seed in the Sun Conference standings, the final qualifying spot for the TSC postseason tournament. A victory Saturday would clinch a top-six finish for the Lions, perhaps even as high as the fifth seed as Florida Memorial sits just a half-game behind current No. 5 team, Webber International University.

A loss to Warner University, which has already clinched its spot in the postseason tourney, would put FMU in a position of needing help from other results to potentially clinch a berth.

While the Royals have their ticket punched already, they still do have something to play for Saturday. Warner is tied with Southeastern University for the No. 3 seed. Although there's little difference between the third and fourth seeds because both would play host to its first-round opponent, the small advantage of earning the No. 3 spot outright would be to host the No. 6 team opposed to the No. 5 team.

Seedings and records aside, Florida Memorial is only focused on earning a win in its regular season finale.

FMU first-year head coach Daniel Radice's team comes into Saturday's showdown as a well-rested group. The Lions last were on the pitch this past Saturday when it dropped a tough 3-1 game at Thomas University. As tough of a pill to swallow as was the loss the Night Hawks, it was easy to explain away.

Florida Memorial was down two starters against Thomas, center back Maximilian Dreger (upper extremity) and goalkeeper Jesus Tovar (personal reasons), leaving Radice to convert defender Ian Maldonado into a goalie for the day.

Tovar, who has earned Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors this season, should be back in goal Saturday while Dreger remains out.

Warner, too, enters the weekend as a rested team. The Royals (8-4-4, 3-2-2) last played on October 23rd since its Oct. 27 game against University of Fort Lauderdale was canceled. WU's Dawson Johnson should be the focus of Florida Memorial's defensive game plan. Johnson leads the Royals in goals this season and is a former All-Conference selection.

The biggest key for the Lions Saturday will be creating and cashing on early scoring opportunities. FMU has shown it can "avalanche" opposing teams when getting on the board early.

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

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Players Mentioned

#23 Maximilian Dreger: CB; 6' 3"; Freshman

#27 Ian Maldonado: CB; 6' 1"; Freshman

#0 Jesus Tovar: GK; 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#23 Maximilian Dreger
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: CB

#27 Ian Maldonado
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: CB

#0 Jesus Tovar
: 6' 1"; Senior
: GK

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#23 Maximilian Dreger

#27 Ian Maldonado

#0 Jesus Tovar

Players Mentioned

#23 Maximilian Dreger

#27 Ian Maldonado

#0 Jesus Tovar