MIAMI (Aug. 27, 2011) - The FIU Panthers women's soccer team recorded its first win of the 2011 season by knocking off the Akron Zips 1-0 on Friday, Aug. 27, at FIU Soccer Stadium. Sophomore Kim Lopez's goal in the 44th minute proved to be the difference as the Panthers improve to 1-2-0, while the Zips fall to 1-1-0.
"It feels good. We did a lot of good things tonight," Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt said. "Offensively, we controlled the game and we got the win and shutout. That's what we wanted."
FIU controlled the ball for most of the first half, pressuring the Zips and creating some good opportunities. Then with a minute left before the half, the Panthers were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Senior April Perry fired a shot over the wall that rattled around the box before Lopez drove it home past the keeper.
"On the free kick, April floated one in and my job is to seal," said Lopez. "I saw the ball coming out and I was positioned right. It just came off my foot perfect."
The goal was the first on the season for the sophomore, who came off the bench just 10 minutes prior.
The Panthers continued to pressure in the second half, recording 10 shots and limiting the Zips to just one. FIU nearly increased its lead in the 70th minute when sophomore Chelsea Leiva struck a ball off the crossbar and senior Kelly Ann Hutchinson's rebound attempt was saved by the Akron keeper.
FIU junior keeper Kaitlyn Savage notched her first shutout of the season, saving one ball. The Panther defense certainly helped its keeper by limiting the Zips to just three shots all evening.
"I didn't have to do that much," said Savage. "Of course on a shutout, everyone looks at the keeper but it's a whole team effort."
Overall, the Panthers finished with 19 shots, seven on goal, and earned a season-high 14 corner kicks. Leiva and Hutchinson each led the team with four shots, and Perry and sophomore Nicole DiPerna followed with three.
The Panthers will take the pitch again on Monday, Aug. 29, as they host Division II opponent Florida Tech. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
For ticket information, call the FIU Ticket Office at (305) FIU-GAME or log onto www.FIUSports.com.
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.
