MIAMI – FIU Women's Soccer will match up against Louisiana Tech at Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium on Sunday, October 19 at 1 p.m., the second to last game of the 2025 regular season.

Sunday, October 19 at 1 p.m.

• Time / Site: 1 p.m. / Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium

• TV

• Live Stats

• Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics

Coming off their recent loss to Sam Houston on October 16, the Panthers enter the match with a 3-3 record in CUSA play, placing them sixth in the conference standings. Louisiana Tech holds the advantage in the all-time series, but FIU claimed the most recent meeting, a 3-0 victory last season, marking the Panthers' first win over the Lady Techsters since 2015. 

So Far in 2025

The Panthers are 6-5-3 through 14 matches of the 2025 season, and 3-3 in CUSA-play, tallying 18 goals so far. 

Junior Montelene Dymond has been in outstanding form, recording back-to-back braces (two goals in a match) against Florida Atlantic and Stetson. With seven goals already, she has surpassed her scoring total from last season.

Sixth year Jayden Boelter has had a hot start to conference-play, tallying three goals in the first three CUSA matchups and four goals on the season.

Senior Brealyn Viamille scored her first goal of the season at Middle Tennessee. Now in her fourth and final year with the Panthers, the forward has notched a goal in every one of her four seasons as a Panther.

Senior Chinatsu Kaio Kaio played a pivotal role early on in the season, netting equalizers against both North Florida and Florida Atlantic. Her clutch performances earned her CUSA Offensive Player of the Week honors for the week ending August 24. With an assist at Middle Tennessee, Kaio has solidified herself as the Panthers' top assist leader with three on the season.

Sophomore Delfina Lombardi added her name to the scoresheet with her first career goal, converting a penalty kick for the game-winner against Stetson. Boelter and redshirt-junior Maya Maxwell both earned their first goals of the season in the Panthers' matchup at Jacksonville.

FIU opened the season with a challenging road test at No. 3 Florida State, falling 2-0. Despite the loss, the Panthers held their own against the national powerhouse, limiting the Seminoles, who had previously routed SEC opponent Florida 5-0, to just 13 total shots and five on goal in a strong defensive showing.

History Made in 2024

FIU is coming off a historic 2024 season that saw the team win 13 games, the second most wins in program history. After the Panthers beat Middle Tennessee in the CUSA Tournament semifinals, they went on to beat Liberty in a 1-0 nailbiter at the FIU Soccer Stadium, and secured just their third appearance in the NCAA Tournament (1993, 2011). It was just the first time in program history that the team won not just the CUSA conference tournament, but the CUSA regular season championship as well.

Key Returners

Out of the eight Panthers to grace the 2024 CUSA All-Conference lists, only two are returning to the 305. Junior goalkeeper Valery Restrepo, who led CUSA in shutouts last season with eight and earned a Second Team All-CUSA selection, looks to continue her dominance this season. Graduate defender Zora Jackson, also a Second Team All-CUSA selection last season, will look to make her mark once again as a key contributor for the Panthers in the 2025 campaign.

New Coach, New Team

Mat Dunn was named the fifth head coach in FIU Women's Soccer history last March. Dunn joins FIU after a highly successful tenure at Keiser, where he compiled a 232-35-15 record and won back-to-back national championships in 2019 and 2020, earning NAIA Coach of the Year both years. At Keiser, he also led the program to 10 SUN regular season titles and six tournament championships. Originally from Sheffield, UK, Dunn aims to bring his winning formula to the Panthers.

FIU enters the season with a 28-player roster, featuring a balanced mix of experience and new talent. The Panthers return 14 players from last year's squad and welcome 14 newcomers, including three true freshmen, five Division I transfers, five transfers from NAIA programs, and one international addition. 

SCOUTING THE LADY TECHSTERS

After a challenging non-conference slate that saw Louisiana Tech go 1-8-1, the Lady Techsters have bounced back in conference play and currently sit at 3-3 against CUSA opponents, good for seventh in the standings. LA Tech enters the matchup on a two-game winning streak, earning victories over New Mexico State and Missouri State, and will look to make it three straight against FIU.

Through 16 games this season, the Lady Techsters are averaging 0.63 goals per game while allowing 1.69 goals per contest, both marks ranking in the bottom three of the conference.

Offensively, LA Tech is led by a balanced trio of Peyton Wiseman, Abby Hanton, and Shani Sirota, each with two goals on the year. Wiseman, a freshman, has emerged as a key contributor, tying for the team lead in assists (2), leading the team in total points (6), and posting a team-best two game-winning goals.

In goal, redshirt senior Cadence Rutledge has handled the bulk of the goalkeeping duties, starting 12 matches this season. The California native holds a 2.08 goals-against average and leads all CUSA goalkeepers with 72 saves in 2025. Freshman Ansley Ittel has taken over in recent weeks, starting the majority of the last four matches. The Georgia native has made an impressive start to her collegiate career, recording a 0.81 GAA and 29 saves.

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.