MIAMI, Fla. -  The FIU women's soccer team gears up for Conference USA action this week after wrapping up its nonconference slate, traveling to Texas for a pair of road matchups at UTEP on Thursday and Rice on Sunday.
 
Thursday, Sept. 15 at UTEP (3-4-1)

• Time/Site: 9 p.m. ET at University Field
• Streaming Video: CUSA.tv
• Live Stats

 
Sunday, Sept. 18 at Rice (2-6)

• Time/Site: 12 p.m. ET at Holloway Field
• Streaming Video: CUSA.tv
• Live Stats

 
The Panthers enter league play hungry for another win, as three of FIU's last four matches have been either postponed or suspended due to weather – including consecutive no contests against Alabama A&M (Sept. 7) and FGCU on Sunday (Sept. 11). Despite the unfortunate events, the Panthers seek to start Conference USA action on the right foot, as a win on Thursday would mark both their first win in a conference opener and first win over UTEP since 2015.
 
Sophomore forward Nikole Solis continues her magic for the Panthers, having notched five of FIU's last eight goals over its past three complete games. Solis' three-match scoring streak marks the first for a Panther since Scarlett Montoya in 2015.
 
The sophomore leads the Conference USA and is sixth in the nation for goals per game (1.00), including ranking second amongst the league in total goals (5), while the Boca Raton, Fla. native leads the nation in shot accuracy with a .909 shot-on-goal percentage on 11 shots. Solis' 10 points on the season also lead the conference and rank her 10^th in the NCAA.
 
Entering C-USA action, FIU sits third amongst the league in scoring offense (2.00 goals/g) and points per game (5.40).
 
Among the team's point leaders, Dominique Marcelli follows with four points (1 goal, 2 assists) after recording assists in each of the past two matches, while Catherine Rapp (2G), Noemi Paquin (1G, 1A) and Delinda Sehlin (1G) follow. Farah El Tayar, Reagan Bridges, Chinatsu Kaio and Idelys Vazquez have also recorded assists on the season.
 
SCOUTING UTEP:
The Miners enters Thursday's C-USA opener with a 3-4-1 overall mark on the season, most recently coming off a 0-0 draw versus Nevada on Sunday, Sept. 11.
 
UTEP was picked to finish 11^th in the C-USA Preseason Poll, one spot behind FIU, as the Miners are led by junior forward Tessa Carlin with a team-high three goals and one assist. Four other Miners have scored goals on the season, while Mariah Scott achors UTEP's defensive efforts in goal holding 36 saves on 120 shots faced. Despite having played three more games than FIU, the Miners have struggled to score offensively with just seven goals (0.88/g) while allowing 13 from opponents this season (1.63/g). However, UTEP has won the past two matchups against FIU, having defended its home pitch in each meeting in El Paso.
 
Series History: UTEP leads 3-1
 
SCOUTING RICE:
Rice enters the weekend 2-6 on the season after being picked the win the Conference USA with seven first-place votes in the C-USA Preseason Poll.
 
The Owls are most recently coming off a 5-0 loss to No. 8 Florida State on Sunday (Sept. 11), as Rice currently rides a three-match skid heading into league play. Rice opens at UTSA on Thursday prior to facing the Panthers this Sunday, as the Owls hold six different goal scorers on the year while being led offensively by graduate forward Grace Collins with a goal and six assists. Additionally, a trio of Owls hold two goals apiece in Madison kent, Mikala Furuto and Bella Killgore. Killgore leads Rice in goal, holding 32 saves on 97 shots faced this season. Rice has won the past three matchups over FIU, as the Panthers' last win over Rice came in 2014, 2-1, in Miami.
 
Series Lead: Rice leads 3-2
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers return home for a pair of C-USA matches at FIU Soccer Stadium, as FIU will host UAB in Miami on Thursday, Sept. 22, for a 7 p.m. matchup, followed by a matchup versus UTSA on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m.
 
Both matches are scheduled to be broadcast on CUSA.tv.
 
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.