Box Score
RUSTON, LA. (Oct. 6, 2013) - The FIU women's soccer team (4-8-0, 2-2-0) closed out the weekend with a come-from-behind, 3-2, overtime victory to LA Tech on Sunday afternoon, as the Panthers continued Conference USA play from the Lady Techster Soccer Complex.
“We played exceptionally well in the second half and the overtime period,” said Head Coach
Thomas Chestnutt. “We've talked all year about heart and finishing games, and it was good to see it pay off today.”
LA Tech (6-7-1, 1-3-0) came out aggressive and jumped ahead in the eighth minute, courtesy of Marjolei Timmermans' first goal of the season. The Lady Techsters drew a corner kick and Timmermans headed the ball into the back of the net off for the early 1-0 lead.
The lead was short-lived for the Lady Techsters though, as junior
Ashleigh Shim took the ball coast-to-coast off a pass from sophomore
Jazmin Jones. Shim chipped it past LA Tech's Caitlin Updyke, to even it up at 1-1 in the 20th minute. The goal added to Shim's team-leading total of five goals and the assist was Jones' first of the season.
LA Tech struck again in the 40th minute by way of Laura Lefevour's second goal of the season. Off a through ball, Lefevour was able to beat redshirt junior
Paula Zuluaga for the 2-1 lead.
After the half, the Panthers came out pressing offensively, which paid off. Senior
Nicole DiPerna fought for a loose ball in the box in the 65th minute and beat the Lady Techsters' keeper one-on-one for her second goal this year. Senior
Crystal McManara took the ball up the field into LA Tech's box and passed the shot to DiPerna, whose goal evened the score at 2-2 and ultimately sent the game to overtime.
“I could have taken the shot, but there were a couple defenders, so I just looked for my teammate who had the better look,” said McManara.
In overtime, junior
Johanna Volz got the game winner just four minutes into the period. Off a free kick from junior
Caroline Hernandez,freshman
Alyssa Robinson headed the ball off the post, which bounced back and found Volz, who chipped the ball into the back of the net, which sealed the Panthers' victory.
“It felt great to get the victory today and to get that final goal,” said Volz. “We really came out aggressive in the second half and the overtime, and I'm glad it paid off.”
Zuluaga finished the game with four saves and senior
Kim Lopez had two shots in the match. Redshirt sophomore
Sarah Stewart and junior
Marie Egan also contributed offensively.
The Panthers finished the weekend 1-1 and stand at .500 in C-USA matches this season. FIU will be back on the road next Sunday, Oct. 13, where they will face UAB at 2 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUWomensSoccer) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWSoccer) for all the latest FIU women's soccer news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Google+ (FIU Athletics), Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. 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. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor¹s, master¹s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida¹s 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. FIU has awarded 200,000 degrees and enrolls 50,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu
