Women’s soccer dominates SLU in home opener

Bautista Samperi | Contributing writer

The FIU women’s soccer team won its first home game of the season 6-1 against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions.

After this win, the Panthers improve their record to 4-3. 

Despite a slow start to the game by both teams, FIU was still able to take seven shots and force five corners in the first half. 

The Panthers found new life following the first goal of the season by junior Elizabeth Rapp in the 18th minute of the first half.

Following that goal, FIU took control of the game and held the Lions to zero shots on target during the first period. 

Because of the slow shot productivity by the visiting team, sophomore goalkeeper Valery Restrepo did not have a lot of work during the game and ended the match with two saves.

During the second half, the Panthers kept the intensity as they looked to double their lead. After two shots that hit the post by senior Noemi Paquin, it was senior captain Reagan Bridges who put FIU up by two from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, obtaining her first goal of the season.

Senior forward Arianna Sparrow had a big impact since coming off the bench, taking multiple shots before scoring the third goal for FIU in the 70th minute after a great solo effort.

Just seconds after, in the 71st minute, senior Nikole Solis scored the fourth goal of the match for FIU after the referee awarded a second penalty kick to the Panthers.

Sparrow scored her second goal of the match and the fifth goal for the home team in the 79th minute.

The visiting team’s goalkeepers, Kendall Curran and Anna Blankenship, were the silver lining for their team, combining for 10 saves which kept the game from becoming an even bigger blowout.

The only goal of the match for the Lions came from their captain, graduate Hannah McCord, from the penalty spot after a handball inside the Panther’s box in the 84th minute. 

Solis closed the game with her second goal of the match and fifth of the season from the spot to make it 6-1.

The Panthers finished the game with 24 total shots taken with 15 of those being on target. They also took 10 corner kicks and committed seven fouls. 

Finishing the game with more fouls (6) than shots on target (4), the Southeastern Louisiana Lions drop to 1-3-1.

Looking to build on this momentum, the FIU women’s soccer team will face Southeast Missouri State at Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium on Thursday, Sep. 12 at 7 p.m. 

This will be the last game before they face their CUSA opponents as they will play their conference rivals in nine straight matches. 

Want to see more? Check out some highlights from the game in the gallery below!