Panther Preview: FIU women’s soccer vs. Sam Houston

Carla Mendez | Staff Writer

The FIU women’s soccer team is facing off with the Sam Houston Bearkats on Thursday, Sep. 21, 2023 in Huntsville, Texas.

Bolstering a 6-2-1 record coming into this match, the Panthers are having their strongest start to a season since 2015.

Playing in their second Conference USA matchup in a row, they took a 3-1 victory in their previous game against the UTEP Miners on Sunday, Sep. 17, 2023.

Leading the charge was junior forward Noemi Paquin who had two goals, contributing one in each half, and carried FIU to a win.

After starting their season with a 1-3-0 record, the Bearkats have been attempting to turn things around, now holding a 3-3-2 record.

In their most recent match, Sam Houston took a 2-0 victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Sunday, Sep. 17, 2023.

Playing their first season in CUSA, the Bearkats collected their first-ever CUSA victory by defeating the Gamecocks.

Taking their second win in a row, they hold a 2-0-2 record over their last four games and are improving upon their slow start.

Senior goalkeeper Savannah Hall was named CUSA goalkeeper of the week after recording her second consecutive clean sheet and collecting four saves against Jacksonville State.

Also receiving CUSA award honors was graduate student defender Andrea Nugent who was named defensive player of the week.

Facing off for the first time, FIU and Sam Houston have never played a women’s soccer match against each other, making this an unfamiliar opponent.

With the Bearkats just having moved to the conference, the Panthers have an opportunity to show their established dominance with a win.

Looking to keep their strong start alive, the FIU women’s soccer team is taking on the Sam Houston Bearkats on Thursday, Sep. 21, 2023 at Pritchett Field in Huntsville, Texas.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be available for streaming on ESPN+. 

Prediction: 

FIU: 2

Sam Houston: 1

Follow Carla Mendez on X: @carladfmendez