Boca Raton, Fla. – The FIU women's soccer team traveled to Boca Raton to take on in-state rival Florida Atlantic, beating the Owls, 2-0. The victory marks the first winning result for the Panthers against Florida Atlantic since the 2013 season. 

The Panthers started off the game with technical offense, keeping possession for the majority of the first half. FIU started off the scoring at the 10:03 mark, when senior Noemi Paquin stole the ball from a Florida Atlantic defender and promptly found the back of the net to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. The second leading goal scorer in 2023 and a 2023 First Team All-CUSA selection, this was Paquin's first goal of the season.

Neither team scored for the remainder of the first half despite some chances from both the Panthers and the Owls. Florida Atlantic ended the first half with six shots, but more lock down goalkeeping from sophomore Valery Restrepo kept the Owls from finding the back of the net. The Colombian native completed her first shutout as a Panther, ending the game with one recorded save.

The second half saw more shots for the Panthers, getting off four in the final 45 minutes. FIU ended the match with six total shots and three shots on goal.

The Panthers continued to snuff out the Owls' chances, getting back on defense with speed and clearing any chances Florida Atlantic may have had. 

The Panthers sealed the win in the 88th minute with a goal from sophomore Montelene Dymond. The forward used her speed to get around defenders before striking a bullet into the back of the net, putting the Panthers up 2-0 on the night. The goal marked the first in an FIU jersey for the recent transfer, and completed the victory for her new team.

Four Panthers in defenders Farah El Tayar, Reagan Bridges, Catherine Rapp and midfielder Deborah Bien-Aime played all 90 minutes in the match, locking down the defensive and middle thirds all game, and helping lock up a winning result against their rival.

UP NEXT 

The Panthers will once again be on the road, traveling up to Jacksonville to take on the Dolphins and Jacksonville University for their fourth match of the year and third against a Florida team. The game will kick off at 1:00 p.m. and will not be broadcasted.

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.