JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – FIU will have one more stop on their roadtrip to open the season when they stop off in Jacksonville to play North Florida on Thursday, August 21 at 7 p.m., to be broadcasted on ESPN+.

Thursday, August 21 at 7 p.m.

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. / Hodges Stadium

• TV

• Live Stats

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

This will be just the tenth time the two programs face off in their respective histories, with the last matchup coming during the 2021 season when UNF beat the Panthers, 1-0.

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.

A Powerhouse Battle

The Panthers started their season with a gauntlet matchup at No. 3 Florida State, dropping the match 2-0. FSU played SEC-team Florida in their first game of the season, beating the Gators 5-0. FIU gave the Seminoles a tough fight, allowing just 13 shots and five shots on goal to the perennial powerhouse.

SCOUTING THE OSPREYS

FIU is looking for its first victory over UNF since the 2015 season, when the Panthers won 2-0 at home.

The Osprey's had a good season during the 2024 campaign, going 9-4-7 and 6-1-4 in Atlantic Sun-play, good for fifth in the ASUN at the conclusion of the season. The season was highlighted by a victory over power-4 foe Miami, and a draw against Florida. The Ospreys fell in the first round of the ASUN tournament to Eastern Kentucky, 1-0.

North Florida has already had two matches to start the 2025 season, beating Howard 2-0 in their first game of the campaign before dropping their second match to Campbell, 1-0.

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.