MIAMI (Oct. 14, 2011) - A goal off a free kick in the 59th minute was all FIU needed to defeat visiting North Texas, 1-0, on Friday night at FIU Soccer Stadium. With the victory, the Panthers move to 8-6-1 on the season and 5-1-1 in the Sun Belt Conference, while the Mean Green drop to 10-4-1 overall and 5-1-0 in the SBC.
"Our commitment to each other tonight was fantastic," Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt said. "The first half, we were a bit off but we moved much better in the second half. I can't stress enough the commitment that our girls had today."
North Texas came out strong to open the match, firing seven shots on goal as FIU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Savage turned in a solid effort to keep the Mean Green out of the net.
Momentum swung in the second half as the Panthers began to control the ball and provide consistent pressure for the first time in the match.
The pressure paid off in the 59th minute when a North Texas foul just outside the penalty box set up the only score of the game. Perry, a senior, lined up and buried the ball into the upper-right corner for her third goal of the season.
Despite the score, the Mean Green continued to battle and had several opportunities to find the equalizer. However, the FIU defense maintained its position and was able to help Savage earn her fifth shutout of the season.
"Every player on the field gave it their all tonight," senior defender Kelly Ann Hutchinson said. "Everyone was throwing themselves in front of the ball and doing everything possible to prevent a goal."
The Panthers will now turn their sights to conference-leading Denver for a critical showdown at home on Sunday, Oct. 16. Game time is set for noon. The Pioneers (13-2) defeated FAU earlier in the evening and stand at a perfect 7-0 in the SBC.
For ticket information, call the FIU Ticket Office at (305) FIU-GAME or log onto www.FIUSports.com.
Live stats for both matches this weekend will be provided through www.FIUSports.com and fans can also follow along on Twitter (@FIUWomensSoccer).
About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 17 different sports, and is a proud member of the Sun Belt Conference and an affiliate member of Conference USA (men's soccer). Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including U.S. Century Bank Arena and Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Itscolleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU is worlds ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission and enrolls 46,000 students in two campus and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. More than 140,000 alumni live and work in South Florida.FIU is a member of the Sun Belt Conference and has 400 student-athletes participating in17 sports. In 2010 the Panthers won their first bowl game. For more information about FIU, visithttp://www.fiu.edu/.
