JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Aug. 22, 2021) – The FIU women's soccer team nearly came back to win their first road match of the season against Jacksonville, but ultimately the Panthers fell by a score of 3-2 on Sunday afternoon due to a late Dolphins goal.

FIU's record now stands at 1-1 for the 2021 fall season, while Jacksonville improves to 2-0.

"Today's result is a difficult one to accept," head coach Jonatha Garbar said. "However, one that was well-earned. Credit JU for their ambition and consistent willingness to leave it all on the field for the full 90 minutes. At this level, you should be punished for not being individually and collectively switched-on for the first and final minutes of halves. We certainly were not. We have a lot to learn, and we will."

After the Dolphins went up 2-0 early in the match, the Panthers calmed the Jacksonville attack and settled into their own rhythm. FIU was able to control possession and penetrate into the attacking third on several occasions in the opening period while leading the Dolphins in shot attempts by a tally of 7-2, but the Blue & Gold was unable to find its first score before the break.

The Panthers came roaring back quickly at the beginning of the second half, when Elli Kainulainen found the back of the net in the 47th minute to cut FIU's deficit to one goal. Sydney Amparo set up the scoring play with a nifty cross to find Kainulainen in the middle of the box, who then fired a scoring strike away from JU's keeper to the right post.

FIU tied things up with another goal 10 minutes later, when Deborah Bien-Aime made a sliding tackle to steal possession and create an attacking run for the Panthers. Kédie Johnson began the offensive counter with a breakaway pass to Kainulainen on the left wing, who then dished a lead pass to Noemi Paquin in the box. Paquin finished the build-up with an excellent sliding strike in full stride, firing the ball past the Dolphins' keeper.

The Panthers dominated possession and applied more offensive pressure than the Dolphins in the second half, as FIU led 10-4 in shot attempts, but the Blue & Gold comeback was cut short when JU claimed a go-ahead goal on a breakaway with five minutes left to play. Overall for the day, FIU led JU 17-6 in shot attempts, including five-to-four on goal. The Panthers also earned six corner kicks to JU's two.

Kainulainen led all Panthers with three points on the day, claiming her first goal and assist while donning the Blue & Gold. Paquin also recorded her first goal as a Panther. Amparo and Johnson both notched their second assists of the young season.

UP NEXT
FIU will have an opportunity to bounce back with an upcoming four-game homestand, beginning this Thursday, Aug. 26, with a showdown against the UNF Ospreys at 6 p.m. ET.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIUWSoc Instagram and @FIUWSoccer on Facebook and Twitter. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram