MIAMI (July 29, 2015) – Former FIU women's soccer standout Thaisa Moreno won gold at the Pan American Games over the weekend, as the Brazilian National Team routed Colombia, 4-0, in the gold medal match.

The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder started in all five contests during the Pan American Games, and played the entire 90 minutes in Brazil's quest for gold. Her team jumped on Colombia early with a goal in the seventh minute and tacked on three additional scores in the second stanza to claim the top prize.

"We didn't expect to exit the World Cup as soon as we did," Moreno said. "But losing can sometimes bring you great things. We were more confident at the Pan American Games, and we played and thought entirely as a team."

Moreno made her senior debut for the Brazilian National team in 2013 and netted her third-career international goal versus Costa Rica in the 34^th minute of Group B action during the 2015 Pan American Games.

"I can't wait to return home to show my family and friends this goal medal," added Moreno. "The greatest moment was listening to the Brazilian National Anthem with my teammates."

Moreno led FIU with seven goals scored during the 2009 campaign, in addition to netting the game-winning goal against then-Sun Belt foe UALR to help the Panthers break the school record for most conference wins in a season (7). She finished her collegiate career at FIU with 16 points over two seasons.

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, and is a proud member of Conference USA. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and the FIU Football Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers 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 contributes $9.8 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member ofConference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.