MIAMI – Women's soccer is set to host cross-town rival Miami in a Sunday night contest on September 6 at 6 p.m.

Sunday, September 6 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

The Panthers' match against UCF on Thursday, September 3 was postponed due to weather.

Previous to the cancellation of the match, FIU came off its first winning result of 2026 that saw the Panthers beat Howard in a 5-1 result. Four different Panthers scored, highlighted by redshirt senior Maya Maxwell's six point performance that included a brace and two assists, as well as her first game-winning goal of her career. Additionally, seniors Mariana Barreto and Leyla Molina scored their first goals in a Panther uniform, and freshman Yuzu Tanida scored her second of the young season.

Game Preview

This will be the fourth season in a row the Panthers will face the Hurricanes, with the last time Miami making the trip to Sweetwater being in 2023, when FIU beat Miami for the first time since 2016.

The Panthers' contest against Howard proved to be an offensive onslaught, with FIU now owning six goal scorers on the season, led by freshman Yuzu Tanida and senior Maya Maxwell with two-a-piece. Maxwell also leads the team in points with six so far, all coming against the Bison. Her performance against Howard earned Maxwell her first CUSA Offensive Player of the Week honor. 

Maxwell, along with Mariana Barreto, now leads the team in assists, with Adria Kitzinger also dishing out one assist on the season on Yuzu Tanida's first goal of the year. 

Senior goalkeeper Valery Restrepo comes into the contest with 21 saves on the season, tying a career-high with eight saves in FIU's draw at FGCU. Allowing just one goal against Howard, Restrepo lowered her goals against average to 1.83 with four matches left until conference-play begins. 

Scouting the 'Canes

Miami comes into the matchup with an admirable 4-1-1 record on the season, beating the likes of Florida Atlantic, Little Rock, Incarnate Wood and last season's ASUN Champions, Lipscomb. 

The Hurricanes are led by freshman Zoie Fontenot, who has four goals on the season thus far, three of which are game-winning goals. Additionally, the California native leads the team in points with eight. Two 'Canes lead the team in assists, with juniors Ciara Alarcon and Jaileah McPherson both pacing the way with two.

Miami has seen great play from their goalkeepers, with their primary keeper being senior Atlee Olofson, coming into the match with a 0.88 GAA and two shutouts. The Texas native additionally has saved 12 shots this season. Not only has the starting goalkeeper been good between the posts, but she has made her presence known on the offensive side of the ball, knocking in two goals on the season on penalty kicks, one of which was a game-winner.

Match Notes

The Panthers trail in the all-time series, 5-13-1, with their last win being in 2023, the last time FIU hosted Miami.

Miami is the third ACC team FIU will play this season, with the others being then ranked No. 4 Florida State and No. 2 Duke.

The Panthers' back-to-back matches against then-ranked No. 4 Florida State and No. 2 Duke was the first time in program history FIU played top-5 teams in consecutive matches.

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.