FIU 2, UL-Monroe 1

FIU's women's soccer team picked up their first win of the season, a 2-1 victory in overtime at Louisiana-Monroe.

"We told the girls before the weekend that we needed to get points regardless," said Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt. "We got the result and in conference play, that's what matters. To get points on the road is huge for us."

Claudia Cardenas (Visalia, Callif.) scored the game-winner for the Golden Panthers in the 94th minute when she received a pass just outside the box and her shot sailed just over the Louisiana-Monroe goalkeeper and into the back of the net. "It was good to finally get a win," said Cardenas. "We played the top teams really tough the past few weeks and we came out on top today."

The Warhawks got on the board first in the 17th minute on a goal by Kendall Dawkins. Ten minutes later, FIU senior defender Kia Rigsby (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago) scored the equalizer when her left-footed shot beat the keeper far post just under the crossbar. The game would remain scoreless until the game-winner by Cardenas. "We have been motivated in practice and on the field in games and we just found a way to get it done today," said Rigsby. "Hopefully we can use this as a building block for the rest of the season." Junior Mayara da Fonseca Bordin agreed, "We just have to continue to work during the week and get better for next weekend and the rest of the season."

"Winning 50-50 balls in the midfield was huge for us," said Chestnutt. "Mayara and Amy Jackson had great weekends for us and they proved to be the difference."

The Golden Panthers will be back in action next weekend for their last two home games of the season. FIU takes on South Alabama at 7 p.m. Friday before hosting Troy on Senior Day at noon on Sunday.