GAINESVILLE - The FIU women's soccer team was edged, 3-0, by the No. 7 Florida Gators on Friday evening.

The teams battled through a scoreless first half as FIU outshot the Gators, six to four, limiting Florida to just one shot on goal.
In a span of four minutes early in the game, the Golden Panthers drew four corners but were not able to capitalize. Gators goalie Katie Fraine saved Deana Rossi's shot, and both Kaley Durrance and Mayara Bordin missed the goal wide before Marina Pappas' shot was blocked.

"We really took it to them," Amy Jackson said. "We definitely had a lot of opportunites but we couldn't convert it to goals, which was a little disappointing. It was definitely a good test for us and there are a lot of positives to go along with the negatives. The fact that we hung with them and that the plays that we've been working on actually worked against them is something to focus on."

FIU (1-1-0) managed two more shots in the half, but Pappas and Jessica Gambill couldn't get the ball past Fraine.
Sophomore goalkeeper Melanie Raimo saved Florida's only shot on goal with nine minutes remaining in the half. She recorded five saves throughout the night.

With 24 seconds remaining, Florida (2-0-0) drew its only corner of the first 45 mintues but nothing came of the opportunity, and the teams headed into the locker room locked in a tie.

"They worked hard through out and at this part of the season, to perform that way I think speaks volumes," Coach Thomas Chestnutt said. "Florida is a very talented team. UF is a strong team and they are No. 7 in the country for a reason. I think we gave a great effort."

Florida came out firing after the break as Jessica Eicken and Ashlee Elliott took each took shots  within the first eight minutes of the second half, but Raimo came up with two saves.

Raimo saved a shot by Angela Napolitano but Lindsay Thompson was at the goal line and headed in her first goal of the season off the reflected shot at 61:30. Raimo played for another eight minutes and saved one more shot before freshman Kaitlyn Savage subbed and took over for the rest of the game.

Napolitano and Elliott teamed up for an assist to Erika Tymrak, who scored from 20 yards in front of the goal with roughly 10 minutes remaining. Brooke Thigpen chipped in the final goal with some help from Sarah Chapman with two minutes left.

"I think overall we played good in the first half and in the second we were a little shaky," Mayara da Fonseca Bordin said. "It's a game we can learn from but on Sunday we just have to put it behind us."

FIU returns to Miami for its home opener on Sunday at 6 p.m. against Florida Gulf Coast.