FGCU midfielder Dani Garcia (12) advances the ball during a match against FIU on Tuesday at Pickering Field in Fort Myers. (Photo by Lexi Harbach / FGCU Athletics)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University men’s soccer team (4-5-1) lost 4-2 to nonconference in-state rival Florida International University (4-3-2) on Tuesday in its first match back at Pickering Field.

The Eagles took control 10 minutes into the match when defender Marco Santana played the ball up the right wing and found forward Aron Martinez, who hit a right-footed strike past the keeper and into the top left of the net for his fifth goal of the season.

The Panthers responded in the 23rd minute when defender Mateo Stickler passed to forward Santi Possu, who delivered a one-touch finish from inside the box to even the match at 1-1 and notch his American Conference-leading seventh goal of the season.

Martin Piedeleu extended FIU’s advantage, earning a brace with a pair of goals in the 28th and 33rd minutes to put the Panthers ahead 3-1 heading into halftime.

The Panthers put the match out of reach in the 61st minute with a goal by midfielder Owen Barnett, extending their lead to 4-1. FGCU continued to apply pressure despite the deficit, finding another opportunity in the 75th minute when midfielder Jai Sahni sent a cross from well outside the box into the middle of the pitch, connecting with Dani Garcia. Garcia took a quick look before rocketing a shot to the top left of the net for his first career Division I goal.

Despite the final deficit, FGCU outshot FIU 9-5 in the second half to close the gap to a narrow 14-13 disadvantage overall. The Eagles also generated a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. In goal, FGCU’s Marcelo Lacayo made three saves, while Nigel Van Haveren picked up the win for the Panthers. The 4-2 score held as neither side found the back of the net over the final 15 minutes.

FGCU returns to ASUN Conference action and continues its homestand at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, against Bellarmine.