MIAMI – Women's soccer (3-4-3, 0-1-0 CUSA) will play their first home match of the CUSA-slate when they welcome Delaware (6-2-3, 1-0-0 CUSA) to Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium on Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m.

Thursday, October 1 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

FIU is searching for their first winning result against a Conference USA team this season after opening up CUSA-play on the road at New Mexico State, dropping the contest, 1-0. The Panthers came into the conference-slate with a 3-3-3 record after starting 0-2-3, but went 3-1 in their final for non-conference matchups.

Game Preview

The Panthers are set to face Delaware for just the second time in their respective histories, matching up with the Blue Hens last season in Delaware's first year as a member of Conference USA. FIU won that contest with a 2-1 result.

Freshman Yuzu Tanida ended the non-conference slate with the team-lead in goals scored, netting three goals through the first ten 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.

Goalkeeper Valery Restrepo has played every minute so far this season between the posts, coming into the matchup with a 1.30 GAA and 35 saves, as well as two shutouts in the last two matches of non-conference play. 

Scouting the Blue Hens

Delaware ended the non-conference slate with an admirable 5-2-3 record, going on to win their first match of CUSA-play against Missouri State, 1-0, heading into this match 6-2-3.

The Blue Hens are led by senior Maggie Groh who comes into the matchup with five goals on the season and two game-winning goals, fourth and third in the conference, respectively. With Groh's two assists, she owns 12 points on the season thus far, tied for third in the conference.

Groh is complimented by Junior Olivia Bley who has three goals and seven points in the 2026 campaign. A well-rounded team, Delaware has seen goal scoring production from seven other Blue Hens this season.

Goalkeeper Sophia Hall has been Delaware's primary goalkeeper this season, playing and starting in 11 contests for a total of 972 minutes thus far. The sophomore comes into the matchup with a 0.93 goals against average, third in CUSA, as well as 44 saves, also third in the conference.

Match Notes

FIU's one and only matchup against the Blue Hens came in the Panthers' 2025 CUSA opener at Delaware, with FIU garnering a 2-1 result.

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.