Panthers sweep exhibition matches in preparation for season

Michael Ortega/ Contributing Writer

In mid-August,  the Panthers were named favorites to win The Sun Belt Conference again in the preseason coaches poll.

The next day, they made a statement that backed up the poll, shutting out Stetson 4-0 on Aug. 17 in front of 500 fans who braved the rain. Once the Panthers took the field, they never looked back.

With a quick assist from sophomore Scarlett Montoya, forward Chelsea Leiva was able to score the first goal of the game within 10:37 of the first half. In the 31st minute, Montoya scored her first of two goals, with a 17-yard shot into the upper left corner of the net.

“2-0 is never a comfortable lead,” said head coach Thomas Chestnutt.

After halftime, Stetson showed some life with good defense and pushed the ball up the pitch aggressively. Noticing a fighting Stetson, FIU went back on the offensive and scored their third goal in the 77th minute with a put back from defender Jessica Palacio.

The fourth and final goal of the match was a 30-yard shot by Montoya for her second of the game at 86:37.

“My mind set was to come out here and score,” Montoya said. “I couldn’t have done this without my team.”

On offense, FIU shot 26 times in the game to Stetson’s six shots. The corner shots were very similar with FIU taking 12 and Stetson only five.
FIU’s defense was stout, holding Stetson from controlling the game at any point and with Kaitlyn Savage’s with two saves.

“Shutout and a win is always good, multiple goals — great,” Chestnutt said. “It’s always good to get out of the block in the right direction.”

FIU 2, Jacksonville 1

After Stetson’s blowout, the Panthers looked to cap off their final exhibition match of the year on the winning side. Jacksonville gave the Panthers a tough test, but thanks to a dramatic 89th minute goal by Marie Egan, the Panthers came out on top 2-1.

Jacksonville gave FIU its toughest fight so far in the young season, with both schools shooting 13 shots in the game. Jacksonville’s defense held FIU to only four shots in the first half. FIU came back after halftime to shot nine shots and hold Jacksonville to only three shots.

In the net, Kaitlyn Savage had six saves in 90 minutes of play, with five in the first and only one in the second.

FIU’s first goal came after junior Leiva crossed the ball into the box, but a Jacksonville player hit the ball with her hand, leading to a penalty kick. Sophomore Johanna Volz took the penalty and buried it into the lower right corner of the net in the fourth minute of the game.

Jacksonville answered right back, just 20 minutes later, when Sarah Moghadas scored off an assist from two teammates Jes Cataldo-Ramirez and Raquel Weckhurst.

With just 30 seconds left and the game still knotted at one goal apiece, Egan sent a cross into the box from 35 yards out on the left side. Egan admitted she was a bit surprised at the result.

“I was just trying to get [the ball] in the box to see what happens,” Egan said. “Luckily, the keeper couldn’t really see the ball and it ended up going in the net. In the end, it’s a win. We’re capable of doing anything. We’re good enough. We just have to step out here and do it.”

This is the first time the Panthers have started 2-0 since 2003. They will now prepare to host Morehead State on Aug. 26 at noon.

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