MIAMI (Sept. 20, 2015) – The FIU women's soccer team (4-5-0) dropped its final non-conference match, 6-1, to the No. 12 Florida Gators on Sunday afternoon.

The Gators' jumped ahead in the 8^th minute on a near empty netter. Clarissa Robles' initial shot was blocked by the diving Sophia Trujillo, but the deflection fell back at the foot of Robles, who tapped it in. Junior Talia McMurtrie nearly equalized the match in the 15^th minute off a Panthers' corner attempt. Off senior Madlen Weinhardt's kick in, McMurtrie heeled the ball bound for the back of the net, if not for a diving save by Florida's keeper. Florida upped its lead to three goals with two goals in a three-minute span approaching the 33^rd minute.

FIU broke the shutout late in the first half. McMurtrie played the ball into the box and drew the Gators' keeper off her line, before dishing to junior Alyssa Robinson who went low and wide for her third goal of the season.

Florida's Brooke Sharp made it a two-goal game in the 53^rd minute, while a set piece granted the Gators' their fifth goal of the match. Off a set piece, Christen Westtphal connected with Liz Slattery for the header score. Savanah Jordan also scored twice, with her second dagger coming in 70^th minute off a cross down low from Lauren Smith.

FIU's schedule heats up next week, as Conference USA action beings. The Panthers will play a weekend slate at home, with UTSA opening league play at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25.

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/.