MIAMI – FIU will look to notch another winning result at home when the Hatters of Stetson come to Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium on Thursday, August 28 at 6 p.m.

Thursday, August 28 at 6 p.m.

• Time / Site: 6 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 Stetson for the sixth consecutive season this Thursday, holding a 7-6-1 record against the Hatters since the 2003 season. Their last six matchups, FIU and Stetson have an even split of three wins and three loses a piece. The Panthers won three consecutive matchups from 2021-23, before the Hatters broke the streak last season with a 1-0 victory in DeLand. FIU will look to get back on the winning side this Thursday.

So Far in 2025

The Panthers are off to an even 1-1-1 start this season, with four goals scored, one at North Florida and three in a win over Florida Atlantic. Senior Chinatsu Kaio and junior Montelene Dymond have each netted two goals early in the season. Kaio scored equalizers against both North Florida and Stetson, earning her the CUSA Offensive Player of the Week honors for the week ending August 24. Dymond tallied both of her goals in the victory over Florida Atlantic, including the game-winner and a second goal that extended the Panthers' lead to two.

Junior goalkeeper Valery Restrepo has conceded just four goals so far, posting a 1.33 goals against average along with 11 saves.

FIU opened the season with a tough matchup at No. 3 Florida State, falling 2-0. The Seminoles, who had previously dominated SEC opponent Florida 5-0, were held in check by the Panthers, managing just 13 total shots and five shots on goal—an impressive showing against a national powerhouse.

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 HATTERS

Stetson enters the match with a 2-1 record on the season. The Hatters opened with a 1-0 win over Gardner-Webb, followed by a 3-0 loss to Colorado State. They bounced back with a 2-1 victory in their first road game of the year at South Carolina State and will look to build on that momentum as they travel to play FIU.

The 2024 season was a challenging one for Stetson, finishing 8-11 overall and 3-8 in ASUN play. After a promising 5-2 start, the Hatters dropped five straight once conference competition began. Their only ASUN wins came against West Georgia, Queens, and North Alabama, the bottom three teams in the league standings by season's end.

In 2025, Stetson has scored three goals, each by a different player, with four separate Hatters credited with assists. Goalkeeper Clare Boesel and the Hatter defense have had a strong start, entering the matchup with a 1.33 goals-against average and four saves.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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