MURFREESBORO, TN (Sep. 16, 2021) – In what was arguably their best performance of the 2021 fall season, the FIU women's soccer team opened up Conference USA play with an epic overtime battle at Middle Tennessee, but the Panthers ultimately fell to the Blue Raiders by a score of 3-2 in the final two minutes.
 
"Tonight, on the big stage, FIU women's soccer demonstrated its newly established identity," said Head Coach Jonathan Garbar. "Our young women were hard and smart in all phases of the competition. I think anyone who watched the match understands our girls deserved better than the result tonight."

The Panthers displayed a high level of competitiveness, technique, and resiliency against a tough MTSU squad that FIU had not defeated since the 2016 season.

"The only concern our team has is proving to ourselves and to our FIU family that this program is taking purposeful and progressive steps," said Coach Carbar. "I think that was undeniably on display tonight against a tough MTSU side, and if we continue to persevere the results will come for us. Our staff couldn't be prouder of these young women."

FIU took an early lead over MT in the 16th minute after a Idelys Vazquez sent a beautiful long cross into the box for Jessica Magerman, who fired a well-placed header into the net for the go-ahead goal. MTSU answered back just before the end of the half with an equalizer at the 40th minute. The Panthers and Blue Raiders went into the break tied in shot attempts with three apiece.
 
Following the intermission, FIU saw an excellent save from goalkeeper Casey Kane to prevent a goal by the Blue Raiders in the 51st minute. The Panthers saw a close chance in the 71st minute, when Magerman nearly scored again on a shot that went just wide right of the post.

MT managed to take a 2-1 lead off a counterattack in the 72nd minute, but the Panthers found an equalizer of their own in the 79th minute thanks to a smart play from Noemi Paquin. After the Blue Raiders' keeper attempted to handle a loose ball by falling on it, Paquin craftily kicked the unsecured ball from under the legs of the goalkeeper and fired it into the back of the net. 

The Blue & Gold saw four shot attempts and earned four corner kicks in the last 10 minutes of regulation, but FIU was unable to find the game-winner as the match went on to extra time.
 
The Panthers came out firing in the first opening period, out-shooting the Blue Raiders 4-1 while seeing scoring chances from Carmen Marin, Kédie Johnson, and Vazquez. FIU's hard fought battle came to a heartbreaking end in double overtime however, when MT found the golden-goal winner on a free kick in the 109th minute. 
 
Magerman scored her first goal in the Blue & Gold uniform tonight, while Vazquez tallied her second assist of the season. Paquin scored her second goal as a Panther, while recording a season-high five shot attempts in the match.
 
UP NEXT
FIU is back on its home pitch to take on C-USA rival FAU this Sunday, Sept. 19. First kick against the Owls is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at FIU Soccer Stadium.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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