The Panthers rally from behind to get their second conference win of the season (2-2-0) and improve their record to (4-8-0) with a win against Louisiana Tech (6-7-1).
It didn’t look good for FIU early as LA Tech’s Marjolei Timmermans scored with a header in the eight minute, off of a corner kick from Birttany Beddow. It was Timmermans first goal of her freshman campaign.
Junior Ashleigh Shim would answer in the 20 th minute by taking the ball down field and chipping it past LA Tech goalkeeper, Caitlin Updyke, to level the match at 1-1. This also helps to that funny stat this season where FIU improves to a perfect (4-0-0) when Shim scores.
LA Tech continued their aggression by taking the lead in the 40th minute off of Madison Doll who beat FIU red shirt junior goalkeeper Paula Zuluaga in a one-on-one situation, lifting LA Tech 2-1. Doll was able to get in great position off of a through ball from Laura Lefevour.
Senior Nicole DiPerna returned LA Tech the favor by beating their goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation to tie the game at 2-2. For DiPerna she got her help from Senior Crystal McManara who passed up a shot at goal to give her teammate a better shot.
When time expired in regulation it was knotted at two which forced overtime in Ruston, Louisiana. The thrill of OT was short lived as FIU junior Johanna Voltz scored the game winner in the fourth minute off a crazy sequence.
After a free kick from junior Caroline Hernandez, freshman Alyssa Robinson headed the ball into the post and ricocheted right in front of Voltz who chipped the ball in for the game winning score.
Shim contains her stellar play, tacking on to her team high 5 goals this season. Zuluaga added four saves to her 48 total for the season. She is currently fourth in the conference for total saves (48) and first in the conference for saves per game (6).
FIU stands with a .500 conference record and takes on the University of Alabama Birmingham (9-3-1) in Birmingham Alabama next Sunday before coming home to play East Carolina (4-7-2) on October 18th.
If you are going to write an article about the game you might want to get your facts straight and look up how goals were actually scored. The goal scored by Ashleigh Shim was assisted by one of the “young” defenders which you so diligently call the worst defense in the conference. However the defense was the same one from the previous year adding a new center back. While Ashleigh Shim does score goals and creates many opportunities for the team, it is a team sport and without the entire team non of that would be possible. Maybe you should try supporting your own schools team instead of bashing them and praising other schools, that might enhance your already poor interpretation of the game of soccer. Just a thought since the women’s team has been one of the more successful teams at this school and arguably works the hardest.