HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Women's soccer (4-6-4, 1-3-1 CUSA) embarks on a week-long roadtrip, starting with a contest at Sam Houston on Thursday, October 22 at 8 p.m.

Thursday, October 22 at 8 p.m. 

• Time / Site: 8 p.m. / Huntsville, Texas

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

The Panthers are searching for their first winning-result of the conference slate since October 4 when they beat Jacksonville State at home. In their last three matches, FIU is 1-1-1 against CUSA opponents, and come into the match ninth in the CUSA standings.

Game Preview

FIU is going up against Sam Houston for the first time since the 2025 season, when the Bearkats beat the Panthers 1-0 in Miami.

Goalkeeper Valery Restrepo has started and played in all 14 matches this season, and comes into the matchup with a 1.21 goals against average, as well as 51 saves on the year.  Restrepo tied a career-high in saves against Liberty with nine, matching her record set against Miami earlier this season.

Roxy Brewer scored her first goal of the season and second of her career on a penalty-kick against Western Kentucky to tie the match and lead to an eventual draw.

Adria Kitzinger scored her first goal of the conference-slate to tie the match against Jacksonville State, giving her two goals on the season. Mariana Barreto scored her first game-winning goal of the season in the second half thanks to a perfectly placed assist from Kiara Clarke, Clarke's first assist of her Panther tenure.

Freshman Yuzu Tanida holds the team-lead in goals scored with three, all of which have come in non-conference play thus far. Her only game-winning goal of her young career came on a corner kick against Jacksonville in Miami.

Senior Maya Maxwell was superb in the non-conference as well, leading the team in both points and assists with seven and three, respectively, and are 15th and second in the conference.

With six points against Howard, Maya Maxwell earned her first ever CUSA Offensive Player of the Week for the period ending August 30. Madeline Oliver won CUSA Defensive Player of the Week for the period ending September 13, after the Panther center back led the team to two straight shutout victories and scored the game-winning goal against Stetson.

Scouting the Bearkats

Sam Houston comes into the matchup with a 5-4-5 record and are 1-2-2 in CUSA-play, good for sixth in the conference. Their lone victory against a CUSA opponent came against New Mexico State in a 2-1 result.

The team is led in goals by freshman Ashtyn Magnuson with four to go along with eight points. Sophomore Ellie Morgan comes into the contest matching Magnuson with eight points on three goals scored and two assists.

Senior Siera Herbert leads the Bearkats in points with nine on the campaign, scoring three goals and assisting on three goals so far this season.

Goalkeeper Hannah Stipp has taken the majority of work in goal for Sam Houston this season, playing and starting in 11 matches. The senior comes into the match with a 1.82 GAA with a conference-leading 74 saves.

Match Notes

The Panthers are 2-2 all-time against the Bearkats, dropping their most recent matchup against Sam Houston last season, 1-0. 

FIU is searching for their first win over the Bearkats since 2024 when the Panthers beat Sam Houston, 3-1.

The Panthers played the Bearkats twice in the 2023 season, beating them in their first ever match, 3-0, before dropping their Conference USA tournament game, 3-2.

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.