MIAMI (Sept. 24, 2010) - The FIU women's soccer team won its conference opener on Friday night against UALR, 3-0, kicking off Sun Belt play 1-0 for the first time since 2002. Senior captain Kassandra Sorzano scored the game-winner just before the 4-minute mark.

Freshman Nicole DiPerna notched the first multi-goal game of her career, netting two goals within 19 seconds to shatter a 10-year-old school record for the shortest time to score two goals by an individual. The previous record of 54 seconds was held by Sasja Odenyo  against Louisiana on Oct. 10, 2000.

"We talked about how we wanted to come out of the gates and make a statement in the first game of conference - win the game obviously, but also control the game and I felt like we did that tonight," Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt said.

In the opening minutes of the game, keeper Melanie Raimo served a long ball to freshman Chelsea Leiva, who flicked it to Sorzano in the box. The goal was Sorzano's third of the season and it was the first career assist for both Leiva and Raimo.

FIU (4-4-1; 1-0) kept UALR (4-5-0; 0-1) at bay during the first half, holding the Trojans to just two shots. The game remained stagnant until DiPerna connected in the 71st minute off a double-assist by sophomore Kelsey Rene and senior Mayara da Fonseca Bordin.

Like a bolt of lightning she struck again 19 seconds later when Carlan Jones hit her with a cross from the right corner.

"The first goal I just had a lot of space and time. I looked up and found where I wanted to hit the ball," DiPerna said. "The second goal went by a lot quicker. I took my space and got my head up and found Carly wide and she got her head up and played her ball in and I just finished it."

Raimo came up with a total of four saves to secure FIU's third shutout of the year. The 3-0 win is the largest margin of victory FIU has achieved in the series since 2003 when the Panthers won 6-2.

"Starting 1-0 in conference leads you into a positive mind set," Sorzano said. "You gain a certain confidence because you're feeling good, and we haven't done it the three years I've been here. It helps you believe that the future is bright and that we're going in the right direction."

Up next, FIU hosts Arkansas State on Sunday at 1 p.m. The team will be available for a post-game poster autograph session.