MIAMI – The FIU women's soccer team will look to continue their historic start of the season with a Sunday morning matchup vs the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns from FIU Soccer Stadium
Sunday, Sept. 3 vs. Lousiana Ragin' Cajuns (3-1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt)
The Panthers (4-1, 0-0 CUSA) are coming off their third clean-sheet victory of the season, taking down the Stetson Hatter this past Thursday night 4-0.
Their 21 goals scored through the first five games are the most scored to begin a season in program history.
FIU saw four different players enter the goal column on Thursday including juniors
Nikole Solis,
Reagan Bridges and sophomores
Kennedy Floyd, and
Brealyn Viamille.
The offense is led by Solis, who leads the team in goals (7) and points (16), while sitting atop in those categories in Conference USA. In addition, her seven goals has placed her top five nationally in Division I.
The FIU scoring has been a reason for success with three players including Solis with two or more goals scored as sophomores
Kim Schneider (3), Floyd (3), and juniors
Noemi Paquin (2) and
Izelle Barriere (2) have all had success through the back of the net.
Sophomore
Catherine Rapp has created opportunities for the offense sixth in the conference in assists (2).
Panther's backline has been strong allowing just two goals in four games against their competition with graduate students
Anna Rockett,
Camille Sahirul and Bridges have brought a steady force to the defense.
Goalkeeper
Ithaisa Vinoly has started in all five games, having notched a total of 11 saves with a 0.43 goals against average, and three shutouts tied for first in CUSA. Her three clean-sheets have tied her career high in a FIU uniform, dating back to the 2021 season.
LAST TIME OUT
Both teams have matched up ten times, dating back to the series start in 2003 with Louisiana leading with five wins. Last time these programs matched up was last season on Aug. 18 as FIU dropped 2-1 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The last win for the Panthers over the Ragin' Cajuns was Oct. 12, 2012 in a 2-1 win in Miami.
SCOUTING LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns are coming off their first loss of the season to the Florida Atlantic Owls, losing 2-1 this past Thursday, Aug. 31.
Louisiana began the year winning three out of their last four games including a 2-0 victory over South Florida on Aug. 20 and a 3-0 shutout win over Grambling State on Aug. 24.
In the Sun Belt Preseason Poll, the Ragin' Cajun's placed 11
th out of the 14 teams in the conference. Louisiana finished 2022 with a 3-9-5 record.
Offensively, Louisiana is led by sophomore Sisley Stephens who leads the team in goals (2) and points (5). Six other players on the Ragin' Cajuns have notched a goal this season.
Makenna Garcia has holding the reigns as goalkeeper, starting in all five games with a 0.50 GAA and 16 saves total on the 2023 campaign. In Thursday's loss to the Owls, Garcia logged two saves.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will continue the homestand with a backyard matchup against the Miami Hurricanes.
First kick is set for 7 p.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.
