MIAMI (Aug. 25, 2021) – The FIU women's soccer team returns to its home pitch tomorrow to play the first of four consecutive matches in Miami, when the squad welcomes the UNF Ospreys to FIU Soccer Stadium.
 
Opening kick is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 26.
 
MATCH PREVIEW
The Panthers and Ospreys are both looking to bounce back after dropping their first contests of the 2021 fall season this past Sunday. FIU aims to start off its homestand on the right foot after coming up short in a very tight road game against Jacksonville (3-2), while UNF dropped its match to No. 20 ranked USF (1-0) in a double-overtime affair. UNF holds a slim margin over FIU in the all-time series, with the Panthers holding a 3-4-2 record against the Ospreys. FIU is looking for its first victory over UNF since the 2015 season, when the Blue & Gold claimed a 2-0 clean sheet victory in Miami. In the last meeting between the two programs (Feb. 12, 2021), the Panthers fell to the Ospreys by a score of 3-1 in Jacksonville.
 
SCOUTING UNF
UNF has been led offensively by sophomore Kayla Bond this season, who tallied two goals and placed a total of five shots-on-goal in the Osprey's opening victory against Western Carolina (4-1, Aug. 19). Between the post, the Ospreys are anchored by reigning ASUN Defensive Player of the Week Mercedes Sapp, who recorded five saves in UNF's loss against No. 20 USF.

PANTHER POWER
FIU's attack has seen contributions from a variety of Panthers this season, with Laia Muñoz Danon (2), Elli Kainulainen (1), and Noemi Paquin (1) all notching goals thus far. Junior forward Sydney Amparo is leading FIU with two assists this season, after recording one in each of FIU's first two contests. Freshman wingers Kainulainen and Paquin have shown playmaking abilities for the Panthers, as each logged an assist in FIU's contest against Jacksonville. Idelys Vazquez (1) and Kédie Johnson (1) have also recorded assists. FIU's backline has been anchored by Carmen Marin, Camille Sahirul, and Reagan Bridges. All three defenders logged a full 90-minutes in each of FIU's first two contests this season.
 
FOLLOW LIVE
A live stream for Thursday's match against UNF will be broadcasted live on CUSA.tv. Live Stats can be found here.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers host their second opponent of the week this Sunday, Aug. 29, when the Blue & Gold welcome the Lipscomb Bisons to FIU Soccer Stadium. First kick is set for 12 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.