LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Women's soccer (3-3-3) will play their first contest of the Conference USA slate when they travel to take on New Mexico State on Sunday, September 27 at 8 p.m. ET.

Sunday, September 27 at 8 p.m. ET

• Time / Site: 8 p.m. ET / Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium

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

The Panthers finished their non-conference schedule going 3-3-3 in their nine matches played, with their three losses coming against power-4 opponents. After starting the season 0-2-3, FIU rattled off a 3-1 record over their final four non-conference matches to level their record heading into CUSA-play.

Game Preview

The Panthers are set to face New Mexico State for the first time since the 2024 season, winning that matchup 3-0 in Miami. FIU's only other contest against the Aggies came in the 2023 season in Las Cruces, with that match resulting in a 1-1 tie.

Freshman Yuzu Tanida ended the non-conference slate with the team-lead in goals scored, netting three goals through the first nine matches of her career, including one game-winner against Jacksonville.

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 tenth 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.

Longtime Panther goalkeeper Valery Restrepo has played every minute between the posts so far this season, ending non-conference play with a 1.33 GAA, 30 saves and two shutouts.

Scouting the Aggies

New Mexico State ended their non-conference schedule with a 1-7-2 record, their only win coming in a 1-0 victory at Abilene Christian. 

New Mexico State garnered an 0-5-2 record after their lone win, and were shutout six times in their 10 matches prior to conference-play.

Esmerelda Arenas Cejas leads the team in goals and points, netting two goals on the season and dishing out one assist to bring her point total to five. Cejas also has the team's lone game-winning goal. Angeline Montoya and Thalia Smith also both own one goal-a-piece for the Aggies on the season.

New Mexico State has seen two goalkeeper receive minutes this season, with senior Karolanne Lafortune getting most of the play between the posts. The Canada native comes into the matchup with a 1.88 GAA and conference-leading 55 saves, as well as one shutout against Abilene Christian.

Match Notes

The Panthers have only played two matches all-time against the Aggies, going 1-0-1 in that span. Their only win came in Miami in the Panthers' 2024 CUSA Championship season.

FIU and New Mexico State did not see each other during the conference slate last season.

FIU's match against then-ranked No. 4 Florida State marked the first time the Panthers played a defending national champion since 1999, when FIU played the 1998 national champion Florida Gators, losing 8-0.

Social Media

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General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.