MIAMI – On Sunday afternoon, the FIU women's soccer team qualified for the Conference USA tournament for the first time in over a decade, after securing a 3-2 win over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.

The win marked the eighth victory of the season for FIU, already the most wins in a season since 2014. FIU's conference record of 3-0-3 sits them in sole possession of third place in CUSA, with two games left for an opportunity to clinch as high as first in the conference.

It marks the first appearance to the CUSA tournament since the 2013 campaigns.

The 2023 season continues to shine as one of the best campaigns in their tenure in Conference USA, with already the most goals scored (35) as a team since 2012. In addition, FIU has conceded just 12 goals, which is on pace to become the program-record in least amount of goals allowed in a single season.

This season, FIU leads CUSA in scoring offense (2.33) and second in goals allowed (12).

In the match, the Panthers took control in the first half, scoring seven minutes into the match as Catherine Rapp was able to push the ball with her back heel off an assist by Hanako Fujii and Reagan Bridges to take the early lead.

Heading into the second half, FIU extended onto their lead when Kim Schneider was able to sink a penalty kick in the 73^rd minute. Schneider has scored goals in back-to-back games while tallying her sixth goal of the season.

The Gamecocks would come back scoring a pair of goals within a four-minute from the 78^th minute and the 82^nd minute to tie up the match at two.

However in the 82nd minute, the Panthers came right back as Barbara Garcia secured the game-winning goal on a breakaway to notch her very first goal of her collegiate career.

FIU outshot Jacksonville State, 9-3, with Garcia, Chinatsu Kaio and Nikole Solis all tied with a pair of shots each.

UP NEXT
The Panthers prepare for their final home match of the season, taking on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Sunday, Oct. 22 as FIU looks to rise for a high-seed in the CUSA tournament.

First kick from 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.