MIAMI – FIU women's soccer program welcomes the reigning 2025 NCAA National Champions and the current No. 4 team in the country, Florida State, to Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium on Sunday, August 16 at 6 p.m.

Sunday, August 16 at 6 p.m.

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. / Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium

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

This is the second straight year that FIU will see Florida State after facing the Seminoles in the season opener last year, dropping the contest, 2-0 on the road. It was the first time FIU played FSU since the 2008 season, with Florida State leading the all-time series, 7-1. The Panthers lone victory against FSU came in 1988 when FIU won, 4-1.

This is the first time the Seminoles will come to Miami since 2001, when FSU beat the Panthers, 4-1.

Newbies Starting Strong

FIU's first match of the season at Florida Atlantic resulted in a 1-1 draw on August 12. The game was 0-0 until the Owls scored in the 75th minute, putting them up 1-0. In the 80th minute, the Panthers answered back with a goal from freshman Yuzu Tanida, assisted by senior Adria Kitzinger, both of which were firsts in Panther uniforms and the first goal of Tanida's young career.

A 2025 Review

In head coach Mat Dunn's first season as head coach of the Panthers, FIU saw a lot of good come following their CUSA Championship 2024 season. The team went 7-6-4, winning four matches against CUSA opponents and saw their first victory over UCF since 2000. 

The squad also saw five Panthers earn CUSA Postseason Awards, including recognition on First Team, Second Team, Third Team and All-Freshmen. FIU earned the five-seed in the CUSA tournament, eventually going on to lose 1-0 in overtime against four-seed Middle Tennessee.

The Returners

FIU welcomes back 10 players from the 2025 season. Sophomore Roxy Brewer is coming off a great freshman season that saw her earn both CUSA All-Conference Third Team and representation on the CUSA All-Freshman team. 

Now in her third year starting between the posts, senior Valery Restrepo is back with the squad and looking to continue as one of CUSA's best goalkeepers.  Last season saw the Colombia native set a career-high in saves and save percentage with 57 and 76%, respectively. Restrepo is one of just two players who were part of the 2024 CUSA Championship team, with the other being Barbara Garcia. Senior Mya Maxwell, junior Kiara Clarke, redshirt-junior Natalia Ballinas and sophomore Maria Lucia Dogliani are also all returners who played major minutes for the 2025 team.

New to Town

The Panthers welcome in 19 new players to the team after losing 19 Panthers from the 2025 season. Of those 19, 12 are freshmen, making FIU one of the youngest programs in Conference USA heading into the 2026 season. Newcomers such as forwards Chiamaka Omeze, Mariana Barreto and Adria Kitzinger are expected to be major contributors, as well as midfielders Brooke Burton and Mya Mills. 

Additionally, Madeline Oliver and Zaniya Gonzague are two defenders looking to make an impact this season, while Lily Murray comes in with D1 experience looking to be a reliable backup at the goalkeeper position. 

We are SO International

FIU is proud to boast players from 11 different countries and four different continents. The countries represented on the Panthers include the United States, Canada, Austria, England, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Venezuela, Colombia and Japan.

Preseason Rankings

The Panthers were selected to finish fifth in Conference USA's 2026 Preseason Poll after finishing fifth last season.

A Tough Non-Conference

FIU will have no easy contests this season, starting the year against their in-state rival, Florida Atlantic before they turn their sights on to two NCAA College Cup participants in 2025. FIU host the defending National Champions No. 4 Florida State on Sunday, August 16 at 6 p.m., before facing No. 3 Duke who appeared in the NCAA Final Four in 2025.

SCOUTING THE SEMINOLES

Florida State (1-0-0) comes into the matchup off their first win of the season against Stetson on Thursday evening. The 2025 National Champions beat the Hatters 4-0, scoring all four of their goals in the second half.

FSU welcomes back many of their players from last season, including one of their top producers in Wrianna Hudson, who ended the 2025 season as the Seminoles' top goal-scorer with 15 goals, and second most points on the squad with 31. Florida State also welcomes back midfielder Nyanya Touray who netted two goals and dished out two assists in 2025, along with goalkeeper Kate Ockene who played in 14 games and started in 11, including the championship match against Stanford.

FIU will be searching for their first ever win against Florida State since 1988 when they beat the Seminoles 4-1.

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.