MIAMI –  The FIU women's soccer team gets set for a pivotal Conference USA matchup this Saturday night, taking on the Liberty Lady Flames from FIU Soccer Stadium.

Saturday, Oct. 7  vs. Liberty Lady Flames (11-1 2-1 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. ET at FIU Soccer Stadium
• ESPN+
• Live Stats
• Green Out (CUSA Initiative for Mental Health Awareness)
• First 100 FIU Students will receive a free FIU t-shirt

The Panthers (7-3-2 2-0-1 CUSA) enter Saturday night's contest with seven wins, which is already the most wins for the program since the 2015 campaign.

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

FIU is coming off a 1-1 draw last Friday, Sep. 29 against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Bowling Green as sophomore Catherine Rapp scored the lone goal for the Panthers.

The offense has shined for the Panthers, totaling 31 goals through the first 12 games, the most to begin a season in program history.

The scoring is led by 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.

Paquin has shined with the attacking line, ninth in CUSA in goals (5) and tied second on the team in points (12). Her 39 shots sit atop in the conference and top 55 in the nation.

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.
 
In the net, Ithaisa Vinoly has started in all 12 games, having notched a total of 31 saves with a 0.77 goals against average, both good for second in CUSA. Her five clean-sheets in a FIU uniform on the season is a career-high for the graduate student.

SCOUTING THE LADY FLAMES
Liberty enters the contest with an 11-1 record, coming off their first loss of the season to the New Mexico State Aggies, 2-0, on Saturday, Sep. 30.

Prior to their match with the Aggies, the Lady Flames had a Division l leading 24-game unbeaten streak with their last loss coming Sep. 11, 2022.

Offensively, Liberty is led by Rachel DeRuby with five goals and 12 assists. In addition, DeRuby leads the conference in shots on goal (20). The offense places 20^th nationally in shots on goal per game (8.33).
 
In net, goalkeeper Ainsley Keja has started in all 12 games, tied for first in the nation in shutouts (8). She has notched 32 saves and is 13^th nationally in a GAA of 0.42.

This will be the first match between both schools.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will prepare for a road test against the first-place New Mexico State on Thursday, Oct. 12 in Las Cruces.

First kick from the Soccer Athletic Complex is set for 9 p.m. EST 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.