MIAMI –  The FIU women's soccer team gets set for a major Conference USA matchup this Thursday night on the road taking on the standings leader in CUSA, the New Mexico State Aggies, from Las Cruces.

Thursday, Oct. 12 vs. New Mexico State Aggies (8-5-1 5-0 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 9 p.m. ET at NM State Soccer Athletic Complex
• Live Stats

The Panthers (7-3-3 2-0-2 CUSA) enter Thursday's night's contest with seven wins, which is already the most wins for the program since the 2015 campaign.

Currently, FIU sits third in the CUSA with eight points, sitting seven points behind first-place New Mexico State and a point ahead of the Lady Flames.

FIU is coming off a hard-fought 0-0 draw last Saturday, Oct. 7 against the Liberty Lady Flames. The Panthers battled in a back-and-fourth affair, which saw both teams trade possessions in a tight matchup. Goalkeeper Ithaisa Vinoly logged seven saves in the clean sheet, earning her CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week.

Vinoly leads all CUSA keepers in goals-against average (.500) and save percentage (.867) in conference matches in addition to placing second in the conference with six shutouts. She has started in all 13 matches, logging a total of 31 saves.

The offense has shined for the Panthers, totaling 31 goals through the first 13 games, the most to begin a season in program history and placing for a top 30 offense nationally.
 
The scoring is led by junior Nikole Solis, who leads the team in goals (8) and points (19), while sitting atop in those categories in Conference USA. In addition, her eight goals have placed her top 30 nationally in all of Division I.
 
Junior Noemi Paquin has shined with the attacking line, ninth in CUSA in goals (5) and tied second on the team in points (12). Her 45 shots sit atop in the conference and top 55 in the nation.

Sophomore Kim Schneider has blossomed in her sophomore campaign with already 12 points, and four goals, including three assists.
 
The FIU scoring has been a reason for success with six players with two or more goals. Including Solis, Paquin, Schneider, junior Izelle Barriere (2), and graduate student Camille Sahirul (3) finding the back of the net.

Panther's backline has been strong allowing just six goals in ten games against their competition with graduate student Anna Rockett, juniors Reagan Bridges and Delinda Sehlin bringing a steady force on defense.
 

SCOUTING THE AGGIES

New Mexico State enters the contest with an 8-5-1 record, coming off their fifth straight conference win of the season, taking down Jacksonville State, 2-0, this past Saturday on the road in Alabama.
 
The Aggies sit atop of the conference standings with 15 points, including a pivotal win over the Liberty Lady Flames, on Sep. 30, ending their 24-straight win streak.
 
Offensively, New Mexico State is led by CUSA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Loma McNeese, who leads the Aggies in goals (5) and second in points (14). McNeese has been named CUSA Player of the Week for the last two consecutive weeks, scoring three goals including a pair against Jacksonville State. Junior Biancha Chacon sits second with goals (4) while sitting first in the conference in assists (7).
 
In conference action, the Aggies lead CUSA in points (39), goals (13), and assists (13).

In net, goalkeeper Valerie Guha has started in 7 matches, notching a 1.78 goals against average, while marking 13 saves.

This will be the first matchup between both programs.
 
UP NEXT

The Panthers will head back home for a Sunday morning matchup against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Oct. 15.
 
First kick is set for 11 a.m. and can be streamed 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.