MIAMI – The FIU women's soccer team resumes Conference USA action as they head to Bowling Green, Kentucky to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Friday night.
Friday, Sept. 29 vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2-2-6 1-0-1 CUSA)
The Panthers (7-3-1, 2-0 CUSA) enter Friday night's contest with seven wins, which is the best start through 11 games since the 1993 campaign.
FIU is coming off a 2-0 loss to the Florida Atlantic Owls on Sunday, Sep. 24. The Panthers held the Owls to no goals in the first half, before falling short in the second half on Senior Night.
The Panthers have begun CUSA play, 2-0, picking up wins over UTEP on Sep. 17 and at Sam Houston on Sep. 21, tied for first in the conference standings
The offense has shined for the Panthers, totaling 30 goals through the first 11 games, the most to begin a season in program history.
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 goal have placed her top 20 nationally in all of Division I.
Junior Noemi Paquin has shined with the attacking line, sixth in CUSA in goals (5) and tied second on the team in points (12). Her 16 shots on goal are second in the conference.
Sophomore Kim Schneider has blossomed in her sophomore campaign with already 12 points, and four goals, including three assists.
Sahirul has found the score sheet in two of the last three games, having scored in the victory over UTEP on Sept. 17 and Sep. 21 at Sam Houston.
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 sophomore Kennedy Floyd (2) 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 11 games, having notched a total of 29 saves with a 0.75 goals against average, second in CUSA. Her five clean-sheets in a FIU uniform on the season is a career-high for the graduate student.
SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS
Western Kentucky comes into the contest with a pair of wins, a victory over Union University on Aug. 19 and notched a conference shutout win vs the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Sep. 14.
The Hilltopper offense is led by graduate student Katie Erwin, who leads WKU in goals (5) and points (11). The fifth-year student has tallied three goals in her past two matches including a pair of goals against Middle Tennessee. Junior Kayla Meyer paces the team in shots (27) while also notching two goals.
At the net, senior Maddie Davis has started in all ten games with 31 saves and a 1.10 GAA on the season while allowing 11 goals.
WKU placed fourth in the CUSA Preseason Poll after finishing the 2022 season with 7-9-3 campaign that the saw the Hilltoppers appear in the Conference USA Championships Tournament.
LAST TIME OUT
Both programs have seen each other 21 times, dating back to the 2003 season.
Last season battled with the Hilltoppers at home in a decisive 1-0 loss on Oct. 7. 2022.
A victory for the Panthers would mark their first win in the last eight meetings against Western Kentucky
UP NEXT
The Panthers will have a week off before a pivotal CUSA matchup at home against the Liberty Flames on Saturday, Oct. 6..
First kick from the FIU Soccer Stadium is set for 7 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.
