MIAMI – FIU will have its first home match of the 2025 season against in-state rival Florida Atlantic on Sunday, August 24 at 4 p.m., to be broadcasted on ESPN+. It is the first of a fútbol doubleheader, with the FIU Men's Soccer team playing Creighton at 7 p.m. after the women's game ends.

Sunday, August 24 at 4 p.m.

• Time / Site: 4 p.m. / Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium

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

FIU is set to face Florida Atlantic for the 22nd consecutive season this Sunday, holding a 23-13-3 lead in the all-time series. The Panthers have historically had the upper hand, winning 17 straight matchups from 1991 to 2000. Since then, the rivalry has seen momentum shift back and forth. FAU responded with five consecutive wins from 2002-07, before FIU regained control with five straight victories of their own between 2009-13. The Owls then went on a run, going unbeaten in 10 matches (8-0-2) from 2014-23. However, the Panthers snapped that streak with a win in Boca Raton last season.

So Far in 2025

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.

FIU scored its first and only goal of the season in its last matchup at North Florida off the foot of senior Chinatsu Kaio on a penalty kick to tie the game at one-a-piece. The Panthers are yet to have an assists leader through two games thus far. Junior goalkeeper Valery Restrepo looks to continue her good play, coming into the match with seven saves in the young season.

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 OWLS

Florida Atlantic is still searching for its first win of the 2025 season, starting the campaign 0-2-1. The Owls opened with a 1-1 draw against Loyola (MD) before facing two Power-4 opponents, UCF and Miami, dropping both matches.

FAU is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season, in which the team finished 3-11-4 overall and 2-6-2 in American Athletic Conference play, placing tenth in the standings. The Owls missed their respective conference tournament for the first time since 2014.

So far in 2025, Florida Atlantic has scored two goals. One came from graduate student Sloane Young, and the other from freshman Isabel Bostic.

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.