Paula Silva / Contributing Writer
The FIU Women’s Soccer Team fell at home against a game Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Friday, October 15 by a score of 2-3.
The Panthers now have a 1-11-2 record on the season, with their lone win coming at the beginning of the season against the Stetson Hatters. This will likely go down as FIU’s worst performing season since 2019, when they went 2-15.
FIU’s goalkeeper Ithaisa Vinoly was called into action early in the game, making an excellent save to deny WKU in the sixth minute.
However, the Hilltoppers took advantage of its early momentum and scored the opening goal in the seventh minute to make it 1-0 for WKU.
Forward Sydney Amparo took a shot at goal during the 10th minute, however she was unable to get it on target as the Panthers sought a way back into the game.
The Hilltoppers added to their lead in the 20th minute to make it 0-2, leaving the Panthers with a mountain to climb.
Despite the setback, FIU carried on with their game, earning its first goal in the 27th minute after an own goal scored by WKU. Defender Estefania Cardona was credited with the assist.
The Panthers made a player substitution, bringing in defender Nikole Solis for forward Farah El Tayar in the 41st minute. Ultimately, the first half concluded with WKU leading 2-1.
After halftime, the Panther’s forward Noemi Paquin scored her fifth goal this season to tie the game 2-2 in the 67th minute.
In the 71st minute, midfielder Dominique Marcelli had an attempt on goal that was blocked by the Hilltoppers goalkeeper.
WKU made several attempts to regain its lead and control of the game, making six substitutions as well as shots on goal before the game concluded.
After 90 minutes, there was nothing to separate the two sides as the game headed into overtime.
During the 10 minute half, FIU failed to register any shots, as opposed to WKU’s five shots at goal. The Hilltoppers’ dominance was ultimately rewarded with a goal in the 94th minute.
The game ended on minute 100 as FIU succumbed to another home loss. The Panthers haven’t been able to defeat WKU in a game since 2012.
WKU is first in the C-USA Eastern Division, while FIU remains in sixth place.
The Panthers have only two games left in their season, with their latest being a road trip to Norfolk, Virgina, to take on the Old Dominion Monarchs on Friday, October 22 at 7pm.
