MIAMI – Montelene Dymond secured her second consecutive brace, and Delfina Lombardi netted the game-winner to lift the FIU Panthers to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Stetson (2-2) on Thursday evening.
The match started at a slow pace, with neither side giving much away during the first 35 minutes. FIU created more chances, recording six shots and three on goal, while Stetson managed just two shots, including one on target.
Junior Montelene Dymond broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, capitalizing on a Stetson miscue and finishing confidently with her right foot to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Dymond struck again early in the second half, receiving a long pass from senior Grace Morris and calmly slotting it home in the 48th minute to double FIU's lead. It marked her second straight game with a brace and brought her season total to four goals, already matching her output from the entire 2024 season in just four matches.
Stetson responded quickly, scoring just a minute later at the 47:32 mark to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Hatters continued to press and found the equalizer in the 63rd minute with a perfectly placed strike from Ava Kooker, tying the match at 2-2.
With both teams pushing for the win, a late foul on Kennedy Floyd inside the Stetson box awarded FIU a penalty kick with under five minutes remaining. Head coach Mat Dunn turned to sophomore Delfina Lombardi, who stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick to notch her first career Division I goal, and the eventual game-winner.
The Panthers held on to remain undefeated at home in the 2025 campaign, improving their record to 2-1-1 on the young season.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will stay at home for the final match of their three-game homestand and will face off against FGCU on Sunday, August 31 at 6 p.m.
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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