JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – FIU Women's Soccer will play their sixth road contest in a row before heading back to Miami when they face-off against Jacksonville State on Sunday, September 28 at noon.

Sunday, September 28 at noon

• Time / Site: Noon / Jax State Soccer Complex

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

The Panthers are coming off their second victory in a row, and second victory of conference-play, when they beat Kennesaw State in a 2-0 showing. The Panthers have the best CUSA record in the conference, starting CUSA-play 2-0 in the 2025 season. The Panthers' only losses of the season have come against Power-4 opponents. This will be just the second time FIU and Jax State have seen each other, with the two programs fighting to a draw last season in Miami. The draw secured the Panthers' first-ever CUSA Regular Season title.

So Far in 2025

The Panthers are off to a 5-2-3 start to the 2025 season, and 2-0 in CUSA-play, tallying 14 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. 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 seven 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. Graduate student Jayden Boelter and redshirt-junior Maya Maxwell both earned their first goals of the season in the Panthers' matchup at Jacksonville. Boelter has now scored in three straight games, also against Delaware and Kennesaw State

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 GAMECOCKS

Jacksonville State came into conference play with an admirable 6-2-2 record in non-conference play, going on a five-game win streak over their final five non-conference opponents. However, since transitioning into CUSA-play, Jax State is 0-2 against Middle Tennessee and most recently Missouri State. Last season the Gamecocks went 8-9-2 with a 3-4-2 record in conference-play, earning a spot in the CUSA Tournament. Jacksonville State saw its season end against the three-seed New Mexico State Aggies.

The Gamecocks have netted 17 goals on the season so far, led by sophomore Amelia Jacobs with seven goals so far, adding on one assist for a team-high 15 points. Senior Louise Featherstone and sophomore Emma Reeder are both second on the team with three goals scored each, with Featherstone leading in points (9), thanks to her three assists on the season to Reeder's two.

The Gamecocks have seen production from three goalkeepers so far this season, but redshirt freshman Ella Holmberg has seen the most opportunity between the posts. With eight matches started and 10 played, Holmberg has allowed just four goals thus far, en route to a CUSA-leading .49 GAA, to go along with 26 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.