DALLAS, Texas – Women's soccer's Chinatsu Kaio has earned her first career Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honor for the week ending August 24, conference officials announced Tuesday afternoon.

The Japan native, now in her fourth and final year with the Panthers, had a standout week, scoring two goals, both crucial equalizers after FIU fell behind early in each match.

FIU opened the week on the road against North Florida. The Ospreys took an early lead and held a 1-0 advantage at halftime. Early in the second half, a foul in the box awarded FIU a penalty kick. Head coach Mat Dunn trusted Kaio to take the shot, and she calmly converted, tying the game 1-1. The match ended in a draw.

In FIU's second game of the week, at home against in-state rival Florida Atlantic, Kaio was in the right spot at the right time, scoring another equalizer early on to tie the match at one-a-piece. The Panthers went on to secure a 3-1 victory.

Coming into the week, the senior had only scored once in her career during her sophomore season. Now, in just one week, Kaio has already matched, and surpassed, her previous scoring totals, quickly establishing herself as one of the Panthers' top offensive threats early in the 2025 season.

UP NEXT 

FIU will have two home games this season, starting with a match against Stetson on Thursday, August 28 at 6 p.m., to be broadcasted on ESPN+.

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 

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