MIAMI, Fla. – FIU women's soccer prepares to host its first SEC opponent since 2015 this weekend, as the Panthers are slated to welcome Mississippi State to FIU Soccer Stadium on Sunday morning.
Sunday's match has been delayed to an 11:30 a.m. start.
Sunday, Aug. 21 vs. Mississippi State (0-0-1, 0-0 SEC)
The Panthers slipped 2-1 in their opener at Louisiana on Thursday night, holding a 1-0 lead after an early
Noemi Paquin goal in the 13
th minute from
Idelys Vazquez, though, a pair of second-half goals in the 64
th and 75
th minute by the Ragin' Cajuns would lift Louisiana to a season-opening victory at Home Bank Soccer/Track Facility.
Paquin's goal marked the sixth of her career, while Vazquez's assist served as her third since joining the Blue and Gold last season. Additionally, four Panthers made their FIU debuts in Thursday's match in freshmen
Chinatsu Kaio,
Selena Ramos,
Catherine Rapp and
Brealyn Viamille.
LAST TIME:
The matchup marks the second all-time meeting between the Panthers and the Bulldogs, seeing Mississippi State edge FIU in double overtime, 1-0, on September 7, 2003.
The last time FIU hosted an SEC opponent in Miami was in 2015 when the Panthers hosted then-No. 12 Florida at FIU Soccer Stadium.
SCOUTING MISSISSIPPI STATE:
The Bulldogs enter the weekend coming off a draw at Miami, who FIU is slated to face on Sept. 1 in Coral Gables, on Thursday evening after earning a pair of exhibition victories over Samford, 2-0, on Aug. 11 and Southeastern Louisiana, 4-0, on Aug. 14.
Mississippi State was picked to finish 11
th out of 14 teams in the Southeastern Conference after recording a 5-8-3 overall record (3-6-1 SEC) in 2021. The Bulldogs bring a plethora of talent with them to the Sunshine State this weekend, boasting four that were tabbed to the SEC Preseason Watch List, including two also named to the NCAA DI Women's Players to Watch List, in goalkeeper Maddy Anderson, midfielders Macey Hodge and Haley McWhirter and defender Andrea Tyrell. The Bulldogs overwhelmed Miami with its offensive prowess on Thursday evening, finishing with a massive 26-4 shot advantage over the Hurricanes, including 11 shots on goal to UM's four. Despite the overwhelming attack, the 'Canes managed to corral 11 saves throughout the night to hold off the Bulldogs for the scoreless draw.
Series History: Miss. St. leads 1-0
UP NEXT:
FIU will travel to Deland, Fla. to face Sunshine State foe Stetson on Thursday, Aug. 25, for its third-straight season meeting with the Hatters. Kickoff is slated for a 5 p.m. start to be broadcast on YouTube via Hatter Vision.
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.
