979 mile and two game weekend for the Panthers

A weekend with some of Conference-USA’s best, and worst, is coming up for the Panthers. Beginning on Friday, Oct. 10, and ending Sunday, Oct. 12, Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt and his girl’s soccer team will see two good opportunities to move up the ranks in the C-USA standings. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is the first match and Middle Tennessee State University caps off the weekend.

UAB, while currently sitting one game below .500 (5-6-1), benefits from a good conference record (2-1-1) that has propelled them to the No. 3 spot among the 14 C-USA teams. Their success lies at home, undefeated in games played in Birmingham, Alabama. The Blazers’ most recent loss came at the hands of Louisiana Tech University, a team left behind in the conference at the No. 13 spot. UAB has not seen a win since Sept. 28, which gives them an extra ounce of motivation when facing the Panthers. The Miami-based team should have no problem creating their motivation as well. With a win, the Panthers would have the golden chance to move into the top five in C-USA (currently seventh), due in large part to their overall record (6-5-1, 1-1-1).

The series history has been one that would make anyone bite their nails, as the last meeting on Oct. 13, 2013, provided a 3-2 overtime victory for the Panthers. With the help of redshirt junior Nikki Rios and Sara Stewart, senior Marie Egan and the rest of the iron-core Panther defense, their strong play as of late will help stifle the attack of UAB’s Johanna Liney’s six goals this season, a team-high for the Blazers.

The final match of the weekend takes the Panthers north to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to face MTSU on Sunday at 1 p.m. Traveling to different stadiums in one weekend is not unfamiliar to Chestnutt and his team, as last season resulted in a 2-2 conference record away from home with only one day of rest in between.

MTSU is on the lower end of the C-USA feeding chain, as they currently sit at No. 10 overall (4-6-2, 1-2-1). Struggling with conference opponents, the Blue Raiders can’t seem to find their identity. Their recent game against the statistically worst team in C-USA, Southern Mississippi University, resulted in a 2-2 tie. MTSU’s home record is a mere 2-3-1, while being outscored 18-10 on the season. This is what many would call a “trap game,” meaning the team may be bad on paper, but any given game-day can provide a surprise win for the lesser team. The Panthers are not phased by “trap games,” as their win against Old Dominion University held similar standards.

Senior forward Ashleigh Shim and redshirt senior Chelsea Leiva will have a field day in Tennessee, as the Blue Raiders are allowing 76 shots on goal and a .113 percent shooting percentage to opponents. The opportunities seen by the Panthers against Florida Atlantic University on Oct. 5 will surely be rewarded if they are found again against MTSU.

The series history with MTSU is 6-9-1, with the last meeting resulting in a 1-0 loss in 2013. Despite the past, the creation of chances are increasing as each game passes for the Panthers. Midfield play is clicking, as senior Johanna Volz leads the herd. Volz is finding her aggressiveness again, as she had a near-goal against FAU and her third penalty kick opportunity for the season.

Chestnutt will stress capitalization of chances whenever they present themselves and playing a full 90 minute game, or in some cases, 110 minutes. The Panthers begin their away-game journey on Friday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m. against UAB and conclude the weekend on Sunday, Oct. 12, against MTSU at 1 p.m.

About the Author

James Profetto
:Staff Writer for FIU Student Media. Majoring in Broadcast Media. Sports guru with a passion for movies, music and getting to know people. Aspiring play-by-play commentator. You'll see me on TV one day.

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