Western Kentucky scored four goals in the first half, including two in the first four minutes as the FIU women's soccer team dropped its Sun Belt Conference opener 5-0 against the Laddy Toppers.
"It was a disappointing start to the game," said FIU head coach Thomas Chestnutt. "I didn't feel like we were ready to go."
Amanda Buechel opened the match with a goal one minute and 58 seconds
into play off an assist from Kellie Walker and Kristin Cocchiarella.
Less than two minutes later, Walker would make the score 2-0 with her second goal of the season.
The Golden Panthers were not able to slow down the WKU attack, as the Lady Toppers would tack on two more goals in the first half, making the score 4-0 going into the break.
FIU would pick up its play in the second half, but didn't manage to find the back of the net. WKU would make the score 5-0 in the 84th minute on a goal by Nikki Workman.
"Hats off to Western," said Chestnutt after the match. "They will be a strong team in our conference."
For FIU, Maria Gualdron (Miami, Fla.) and Marina Pappas (Lancaster, Pa.) had three shots each.
Things don't get any easier for FIU, as they face Middle-Tennessee on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Raiders were picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference pre-season polls.
