MIAMI – The FIU Women's Soccer team begins its 2023 campaign on Friday night, traveling to Thibodaux, La., facing the Alcorn State Braves in the Lester Bimah Battle on the Bayou at Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex.
 
Friday, Aug. 19 vs. Alcorn State

• Time / Site: 8 p.m. ET at Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex
• Live Stats

 Sunday, Aug. 21 vs. Nicholls State

• Time / Site: 12 p.m. ET at Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex
• Live Stats

The 2023 Panther roster features a total of 27 players, including seven newcomers made up of four freshmen and three transfers. FIU returns 10 players with 10 or more starts during the 2022 season.
 
Seven goal scorers return in 2022 – including junior and CUSA Preseason Team Nikole Solis, who led the team in goals (7) and points (14) last season. Forward Noemi Paquin, Catherine Rapp, and Kim Schneider all notched a pair of goals in the 2022 campaign. FIU returns goalie Ithaisa Vinoly, who led the team in starts with 10.
 
SCOUTING ALCORN STATE
The Braves will be under new leadership this fall under head coach Jenna Wallace. Alcorn State posted a 5-9-4 record in 2022 and finished seventh in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. This season, standout sophomores Samara Nunn and Briana Johnson return. Nunn notched 15 points in 15 starts in 2022 while Johnson competed with the Guatemala National Team over the summer.
 
This will be the first meeting between these two schools.
 
SCOUTING NICHOLLS STATE
The Colonels enter the 2023 season under third year head coach Robert Podeyn. Nicholls State finished last season with a record of 2-16-1 and placed ninth in the Southland Conference standings. Sophmore Shelby Nickal will return after playing in a team lead of 19 games and notched three points. Defender Jaden Jeter led the team in minutes played with 1,465.
 
This is the first meeting between these two schools.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will be back in action with the home opener on Thursday, August 24 vs. Jacksonville University in a 7 p.m. ET start from FIU Soccer Stadium.
 
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.