MIAMI, Fla. -  The FIU women's soccer team kept North Texas on its toes with a persistent attack throughout Thursday night's Conference USA matchup at FIU Soccer Stadium, though, the Panthers came up short to the Mean Green on Senior Night, 3-1. Prior to the contest, seniors Sydney Amparo, Ithaisa Vinoly and Camille Sahirul were honored for their commitment and contributions to the program.
 
FIU slides to 2-7-3 overall and 0-4-3 in league play, while the Mean Green move to 8-5-2 overall and 4-2-1 in the C-USA.
 
Sophomore Nikole Solis broke a six-match scoring drought after a fiery hot start to the season, recording her team-high sixth goal of the season off the helper from classmate Noemi Paquin for the Panthers' lone score.
 
Solis marks the first Panther to record six goals in a season since Alyssa Robinson in 2016 (6 goals).
 
Paquin logged a team-high five shots, including two on target, followed by Solis with four. Chinatsu Kaio tallied a pair of shots, while Catherine Rapp, Kim Schneider, Sydney Amparo and Brealyn Viamille also finished the match with shots.
 
FIU held the advantage in shots for the match, 15-10, in holding a great deal of possession throughout the match, though, North Texas managed to strike effectively on its chances with three goals on six shots on goal.
 
Despite the loss, Maaike van Klink finished with three saves in goal for the match.
 
The Panthers opened the match immediately on the attack, logging a barrage of shots within the opening 15 minutes. Noemi Paquin nearly struck first within the opening minute, sending a shot just wide right after separation from the left side of the box, followed by a shot on goal from Solis and near identical shot from Catherine Rapp that mirrored Paquin's try wide right. Kim Schneider would also boot a strike from the top of the 18-yard box that just skimmed the crossbar in the 27^th minute to uphold FIU's aggressive presence.
 
The Mean Green wasted no time answering, as Allie Byrd managed to finish a breakaway to put North Texas on the board in the 16^th minute for the 1-0 lead. Both squads continued to trade shots through the opening frame before UNT's Summer Brown would finish a feed to find the back of the net and double the margin in the 36^th minute, 2-0, while quickly notching the three-goal advantage moments later in the 40^th to head into the half with a 3-0 lead.
 
The Panthers came out the break spirited, as Paquin found separation in the 46^th minute to send a shot from the far-left wing that met UNT keeper Dani Jacobson, as Solis would be in the right place at the right time within the box to tap in the follow-up and put FIU on the board early on, 3-1.
 
The duration of the second half would be played physical by both sides, seeing a total of three yellow cards issued in the frame, as neither team allowed each other for great chances.
 
The Panthers continued its persistence with a 6-4 shot advantage in the second frame, as FIU found shots from Paquin and Sydney Amparo down the stretch, though, the tries would come off wide to ultimately see North Texas cling on to the 3-1 victory by the end of regulation.
 
UP NEXT
FIU returns to action when it travels to face Charlotte next Sunday, Oct. 23, for a 1 p.m. matchup to be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUWSoccer), Twitter (@FIUWSoccer), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWSoccer) for all the latest Women's Soccer news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.