Miami, Fla. – FIU women's soccer is moving on to its first-ever Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship match as they defeated Middle Tennessee 2-0 in the semifinals on Friday night. The Panthers will play the Liberty Flames at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 10 for a chance at an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. 

FIU played lockdown defense for the entire 90 minutes, allowing a season-low one shot and one shot on goal in the match. 

The Panthers snatched the lead in the 24th minute when senior Noemi Paquin fed a corner kick into the box, which was headed by fellow senior Delinda Sehlin, and promptly headed again by junior Catherine Rapp to put FIU up 1-0. It was the first assist in what would be a two assist night for the Sweden-native Sehlin, and Rapp's third goal of the season.

The game went into the half with the score 1-0.

The second half was much of the same, with the Panthers stifling any chances the Blue Raiders may have had. 

FIU gained some insurance in the 76th minute when Delinda Sehlin fed a perfect pass from midfield to Noemi Paquin, who placed the ball perfectly over MTSU's goalkeeper and through the back of the net, her 15th goal of the season and the second assist for Sehlin in the game and of the season.

As a team, FIU had 10 shots and four shots on goal, led by Noemi Paquin with five shots and Catherine Rapp with two shots and two shots on goal.

Sophomore Valery Restrepo only saw one shot on goal the entire match, saving the shot for her 34th save of the season. The Colombia-native was credited with her conference-leading seventh shutout of the season.

The win for FIU was the program's first-ever victory in the CUSA Tournament, continuing what has been a historic season for the Panthers and head coach Jonathan Garbar. 

 

UP NEXT

The Panthers will take on the second-seeded Liberty Flames in the 2024 CUSA Women's Soccer Championship on November 10 at 2:00 p.m. on FIU's home turf. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+, with live stats available.

TICKETS

Tickets for the event can be found at FIUTickets.com, with single game tickets as well as all-tournament passes available for purchase.

Conference USA Tournament Schedule:

Game 5 (Championship): November 10 - 2:00 p.m.

BAPTIST HEALTH

The 2024 FIU men's and women's soccer season is presented by Baptist Health, the official sports medicine provider of FIU Athletics.

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIWSoccer), Twitter (@FIUWomensSoccer), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWomensSoccer) for all the latest FIU Women's Soccer news. 

General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.