CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Sept. 11, 2016) -- A pair of seniors made notable contributions, as Alyssa Robinson (Pembroke Pines, Florida / American Heritage) scored the goal and keeper Sophia Trujillo (Miami, Florida / Gulliver Prep) got the shutout in an FIU 1-0 win at Miami (Florida) Sunday as the Panthers complete non-conference play. The win was the first for FIU this season, now at 1-5-1. Miami drops to 5-3.
 
"We've been working hard, facing a lot of great teams, and facing our own adversity," said FIU Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt. "We started both halves very well, with good intensity. Our girls stood up strong and we felt good about the way controlled the first half of play, creating opportunities and limiting our opponents. I am proud of the ladies today. It was a great team win. We had to push past some of our limits to get that first win, but that's what they did and I can't say enough about everyone's effort today. We have to continue to improve week by week to see where we can go."
 
The Panthers pounced quickly for their earliest goal of the season. Off a Miami turnover in the defensive third, senior Robinson beat the keeper on her own in the fifth minute for the opening goal. It is her third of the season. The Panthers held that lead into the half, their second halftime lead of the season.
 
"They tried to play it back to the keeper, said Robinson, the team's goal-scoring leader. "I read the play, outran them, then beat the keeper and finished it. No goals are easy. You have to work for all of them. But an open goal is the most beautiful picture in the world. But, it's a lot of pressure because there is always a way to miss it."
 
The win is the second for FIU in the 11-game series with the Hurricanes, both coming in Coral Gables. FIU had not scored a goal against Miami in the last three meetings.
 
The Panthers allowed eight shots in the opening half, with Trujillo collecting a pair of saves in the period.
 
The Hurricanes came out with energy in the second half, controlling the ball for the early period before the Panthers were able to possess and generate offense of their own. In a seven-minute stretch in the second with 20 minutes remaining, FIU produced four corner kicks to put pressure on the Hurricanes.
 
Miami produced a barrage of chances in the final 10 minutes, with the Hurricanes getting six shots off and the Panthers fending them off to get the victory.
 
"When you are down, you have to be more aggressive," said defender Gabby Bovo (Miami, Florida / John A. Ferguson HS). "Up 1-0, you have to be smart and make smarter decisions. It feels nice to get that win. We have been there in most of our games, we just needed that little extra. And those last minutes were very intense. You don't want to be the one responsible for allowing the goal late."
 
Miami ended the contest with a 20-4 shots advantage. Trujillo recorded four saves in the contest for the shutout. It was her second career 90-minute blanking of an opponent.
 
"Once we scored the goal, my mindset didn't really change," said Trujillo after the game. "As a goalkeeper, I am never comfortable. We don't want to allow that tying goal. I have to think like it is still zero-zero. Any win is important, but winning right before conference against such a strong team, heading into the most important part of the season gives, us a very important amount of confidence."
 
FIU enters Conference USA play with a Sunday night game on September 18 at Florida Atlantic, beginning at 6 p.m.
  
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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 of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.