Gameday Preview: FIU vs. Arizona

James Profetto/Staff Writer

The women’s soccer team open up their 2014 season Friday evening at 7 p.m. against the University of Arizona, a team that finished ninth out of 12 Pac-12 teams last season. For the Panthers, they’re coming off a 7-12 season, winning only three games at home and four games on the road.

Arizona is a familiar opponent for the Panthers, as they both saw each other in 2013. A 4-2 loss was handed to FIU, giving a 2-0 edge in the overall series history for Arizona. But, this season is a clean slate for Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt and his team.

Things to Look For:

Goalkeeper Situation  

The reason this game, and regular season, is going to be a fresh approach for FIU is their new look at goalkeeper. Nevena Stojakovic, an international recruit out of Serbia, is an aggressive goalkeeper with a tendency to rush off her line to stop any sort of push by opposing attackers. Pair her with freshman goalkeeper Ashley Westberry and there’s a nice 1-2 punch to guide a team throughout the season. Westberry seems more suited to take the start tonight, but I wouldn’t completely count out Stojakovic, who players, like senior forward Ashleigh Shim, have been excited for. Assistant coach Kyle Schroeder, who primarily works with the goalkeepers, is thrilled to get both playing time throughout the season.

Defense, Defense, Defense  

Last season, the Panthers allowed 39 goals, which placed them dead last in goals allowed in Conference-USA play. During the preseason, Chestnutt has emphasized attacking the ball on set pieces and trying to instill life into his defenders and midfielders. The midfield is led by senior Johanna Volz, who played all 19 games last season and finished with six points. The defense is young this season with four total freshman and sophomores. Look for Marie Egan, senior, and Nikki Rios, redshirt junior, to bring the experience to elevate the game of these young players.

Arizona Knows How to Score

Last season, Arizona netted 38 goals, which was second-most in conference play. A player that was key to the Wildcats attack was Jazmin Ponce, who has since graduated. Alexandra Doller, senior forward, now takes over the goal scoring duties. She finished last season with seven goals, compared to Ponce’s 10, which was second-most on the Wildcats last season.

Something that also left with Ponce? Her 92 shots, second amongst Pac-12 players last season.

The Bottom Line

FIU has to pressure Arizona every chance they can. The duo of senior forward Ashleigh Shim and redshirt senior Chelsea Leiva, making her season debut after missing last year due to injury, will get their shots on goal. The defense should be more complete tonight, as they will not have to sacrifice a defender to play goalkeeper like last season. Assistant coach Lauren Singer is known for her ability to coach the attackers of FIU and get them ready to score, but she has been emphasizing their need to defend, as well.

Arizona will be hungry to start their season off with a bang, but FIU has almost a greater need for a win tonight as their home games will be important all year long (FIU has a seven game home-stand starting Sept. 3).