MIAMI – The FIU women's soccer gets set for a Sunday night tilt vs Florida Gulf Coast at FIU Soccer Stadium as they wrap up the non-conference portion of their season.
Sunday , Sept. 10 vs. Florida Gulf Coast (2-3-3-1 0-0 ASUN)
The Panthers (5-1-1, 0-0 CUSA) are coming off one of the biggest wins this season, taking down crosstown rival, the Miami Hurricanes, 1-0 this past Thursday night. It was a scorless match until the 87
th minute when sophomore
Brealyn Viamille was tripped in the box, setting up a penalty kick goal for junior
Nikole Solis to secure the victory.
Their 24 goals scored through the first seven games are the most scored to begin a season in program history.
The offense is led by Solis, who leads the team in goals (8) and points (18), while sitting atop in those categories in Conference USA. In addition, her eight goals has placed her top ten nationally in all of 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 (4), Floyd (3), and juniors
Noemi Paquin (3) and
Izelle Barriere (2) have all had success through the back of the net.
Schneider has blossomed in her sophomore campaign with already nine points, five more than her total from a season ago.
Paquin has shined with the attacking line as her 26 shots on goal lead all of CUSA and 21
4t in the nation.
Graduate student
Camille Sahirul has created pivotal goal opportunities for the offense fifth in the conference in assists (3).
Panther's backline has been strong allowing just four goals in seven games against their competition with graduate student
Anna Rockett, juniors
Reagan Bridges and
Delinda Sehlin bringing a steady force on defense.
Goalkeeper
Ithaisa Vinoly has started in all seven games, having notched a total of 15 saves with a 0.60 goals against average, and for shutouts tied for first in CUSA. Her four clean-sheets in a FIU uniform is a career-high for the graduate student.
LAST TIME OUT
Both programs have met for a total of 14 times, dating back to the 2007 season.
Last time these teams faced each other was on Sept. 1, 2021 as FGCU won in Miami, 3-2.
The last win for the Panthers against the Eagles on Aug. 26, 2010 in a 1-0 win from Fort Myers.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
The Eagles are coming off a 1-0 loss to Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton. FGCU started their season 2-1 with victories over South Florida and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before 0-2-1 in their past three matches.
The team is led offensively by Preseason All-ASUN midfielder Erika Zchuppe with a pair of goals and five points. Midfielder Kendal Gargiula has also been a impact player for FGCU with two goals and four points.
FGCU placed second in the Atlantic Sun Preseason Poll after finishing the 2022 season with 12 wins and a ASUN Conference Championship.
At the net, freshman Olivia Molina has started all six games as the goalkeeper with a 1.01 GAA and allowed six goals.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will begin conference on Sunday, Sep. 17 against the UTEP Miners.
.
First kick from FIU Soccer Stadium 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.
