JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – FIU women's soccer to travel to Jacksonville to play the Dolphins in their final non-conference matchup of the 2025 season on Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m.

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. / Southern Oak Stadium

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

FIU comes into its last non-conference matchup of the 2025 season with a 3-2-2 record, most recently dropping its match to Miami, 2-0. Jacksonville is looking to bounce back after winning its first two matches of the season, before going on to drop its last three. The Panthers have had the upper hand in the matchup since 2017, beating the Dolphins six out of the last seven games, most recently gaining the upper hand last season in a 3-0 victory at Jacksonville.

So Far in 2025

The Panthers are off to a 3-2-2 start to the 2025 season, tallying seven goals so far. FIU opened the scoring account with a goal at North Florida, followed by three in a win over Florida Atlantic and three more in a victory against Stetson. In their last matchup, FIU handed the UCF Knights their first loss of the season in a 1-0 result, the lone goal coming from junior Montelene Dymond.

Senior Chinatsu Kaio Kaio has played a pivotal role early on, netting equalizers against both North Florida and Florida Atlantic. Her clutch performances earned her CUSA Offensive Player of the Week honors for the week ending August 24.

Junior Montelene Dymond has been in outstanding form, recording back-to-back braces (two goals in a match) against Florida Atlantic and Stetson. With five goals already, she has surpassed her scoring total from last season.

Sophomore Delfina Lombardi added her name to the scoresheet with her first career goal, converting a penalty kick for the game-winner against Stetson.

FIU opened the season with a challenging road test at No. 3 Florida State, falling 2-0. Despite the loss, the Panthers held their own against the national powerhouse, limiting the Seminoles, who had previously routed SEC opponent Florida 5-0, to just 13 total shots and five on goal in a strong defensive showing.

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 DOLPHINS

Jacksonville enters the match 2-3, winning its first two matches of the season over Edward Waters, 9-0, and Georgia Southern, 4-1. The Dolphins went on to lose its next three matches in a row leading up to their bout with FIU.

Jacksonville went 4-10-4 in 2024, going 3-6-2 in the Atlantic Sun conference, good for eighth in the conference. The Dolphins lost to Eastern Kentucky in the first round of the 2024 ASUN tournament, going into a shootout after tying 1-1 in regulation. Eastern Kentucky advanced 5-4 on penalty kicks to drop Jacksonville out of the tournament.

Jacksonville has seen production from several players thus far in the 2025 season, led by senior Manuela Restrepo with four goals on the year and two assists, leading the team with 10 points. Alicia Ray Perez is second on the team with three goals and two assists. Seven other Dolphins have scored this season, rounding out a productive offensive attack for Jacksonville. Graduate student Pia Bozic has taken the majority of the minutes at goalkeeper, coming into the matchup with FIU with a 1.62 GAA and 14 saves.

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.