Brian Olmo | Editor-in-chief
One year ago, the FIU women’s soccer team’s season ended with more questions than answers.
A middle-of-the-pack finish and an immediate bow out of the tournament in its first game against Sam Houston left some wondering if things would be any different next year. Can this group of talent really take it all the way?
This season has had all the answers.
If the Panthers were once the flustered, new transfer with their shoes untied on the first day of school, now they’re the know-it-all kid. Opponents can hate them all they want, they’re top of the class.
Sitting near the top of the Conference USA standings, the Panthers are poised to make history as they chase their first-ever tournament title.
The team has dominated nearly all of October. From Oct. 1 to Oct. 27, the team went 4-1-1, their best win being against another top-three team in the conference, New Mexico State, 3-0.
This FIU squad is one of the most talented in recent memory, having several players in the top 10 in shots on goal, goals, assists and saves.
Senior forward Noemi Paquin is having another career year as the team’s leading scorer. With five game-winning goals and 14 goals total, Paquin leads the CUSA.
Her play has earned her four consecutive Offensive Player of the Week nods.
Paquin has been a force on this team since her freshman year, leading the team in points and goals. She was named to the CUSA All-Freshman team.
But let’s not undervalue the contributions from other players that make this team as dangerous on the field as they are.
Senior forward Nikole Solis is tied for seventh in goals to form a dynamic one-two punch on offense alongside Paquin. Graduate forward Camille Sahirul is third in the conference in assists with her consistent playmaking keeping the Panthers humming along.
Like most other sports, soccer isn’t a game of pure offense.
Sophomore goalkeeper Valery Restrepo has been phenomenal with 33 saves, anchoring down a team that’s only allowed 14 goals, second-best in the conference. Restrepo has four Goalkeeper of the Week awards this season. Senior defender Reagan Bridges is also showcasing her defensive prowess, winning two Defensive Player of the Week recognitions.
Credit also has to go to the Head coach Jonathan Garbar.
Named head coach in January of 2021, Garbar has helped the program make significant progress over the last three seasons. His 2023 team finished with eight wins, the most since 2013, and clinched its first tournament appearance.
The CUSA Championships start on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and run until Sunday, Nov. 10. FIU will play either No. 5 MTSU or No. 4 Sam Houston on Friday. It’s a single-elimination tournament. Six teams enter, and only one comes out as a champion.
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