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MIAMI – FIU will finish up its three-match homestand and look to stay undefeated at home in 2025 when they face off against Florida Gulf Coast at home on Sunday, August 31 at 6 p.m.
Sunday, August 31 at 6 p.m.
Time / Site: 6 p.m. / Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium
Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics
The Panthers will match up against FGCU for the 16th time this Sunday, the first match coming in 2007. The Eagles have historically had the upper hand in the series, currently with a 13-2-1 record against FIU. The Panthers won their first match against FGCU in Fort Myers in 2010, and did not garner another winning result until the last season’s 2024 campaign, beating the Eagles 2-1. Both wins for the Panthers came on the road, FIU will be looking for their first winning result against FGCU at home in program history.
So Far in 2025
The Panthers are off to a strong 2-1-1 start to the 2025 season, tallying seven goals across four matches. FIU opened the scoring account with a goal at North Florida, followed by three in a win over Florida Atlantic and three more in a victory against Stetson.
Senior Chinatsu Kaio Kaio has played a pivotal role early on, netting equalizers against both North Florida and Florida Atlantic. Her clutch performances earned her CUSA Offensive Player of the Week honors for the week ending August 24.
Junior Montelene Dymond has been in outstanding form, recording back-to-back braces (two goals in a match) against Florida Atlantic and Stetson. With four goals already, she has matched her scoring total from last season just four games into the year.
Sophomore Delfina Lombardi added her name to the scoresheet with her first career goal, converting a penalty kick for the game-winner against Stetson.
FIU opened the season with a challenging road test at No. 3 Florida State, falling 2-0. Despite the loss, the Panthers held their own against the national powerhouse, limiting the Seminoles, who had previously routed SEC opponent Florida 5-0, to just 13 total shots and five on goal in a strong defensive showing.
History Made in 2024
FIU is coming off a historic 2024 season that saw the team win 13 games, the second most wins in program history. After the Panthers beat Middle Tennessee in the CUSA Tournament semifinals, they went on to beat Liberty in a 1-0 nailbiter at the FIU Soccer Stadium, and secured just their third appearance in the NCAA Tournament (1993, 2011). It was just the first time in program history that the team won not just the CUSA conference tournament, but the CUSA regular season championship as well.
Key Returners
Out of the eight Panthers to grace the 2024 CUSA All-Conference lists, only two are returning to the 305. Junior goalkeeper Valery Restrepo, who led CUSA in shutouts last season with eight and earned a Second Team All-CUSA selection, looks to continue her dominance this season. Graduate defender Zora Jackson, also a Second Team All-CUSA selection last season, will look to make her mark once again as a key contributor for the Panthers in the 2025 campaign.
New Coach, New Team
Mat Dunn was named the fifth head coach in FIU Women’s Soccer history last March. Dunn joins FIU after a highly successful tenure at Keiser, where he compiled a 232-35-15 record and won back-to-back national championships in 2019 and 2020, earning NAIA Coach of the Year both years. At Keiser, he also led the program to 10 SUN regular season titles and six tournament championships. Originally from Sheffield, UK, Dunn aims to bring his winning formula to the Panthers.
FIU enters the season with a 28-player roster, featuring a balanced mix of experience and new talent. The Panthers return 14 players from last year’s squad and welcome 14 newcomers, including three true freshmen, five Division I transfers, five transfers from NAIA programs, and one international addition.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
FGCU enters the match with a 2-1 record in the 2025 season. The Eagles cruised to victories over Webber International (6-0) and Florida Atlantic (2-1), but fell to their lone Power Four opponent so far, LSU, in a 6-1 defeat.
As usual, the Eagles were the team to beat in the ASUN last season. They finished the year 11-6-2 overall, including an impressive 9-1-1 mark in conference play, earning the No. 1 seed in the ASUN Conference Tournament. However, FGCU’s postseason run was cut short in the semifinals, where they were upset by No. 5 seed Eastern Kentucky.
So far in 2025, four different Eagles have found the back of the net, led by senior Erika Zschuppe, who has already tallied four goals and scored in every match this season. Redshirt sophomore Ava Boyd and senior Kendal Gargiula have each added two goals of their own. Known for their unselfish style of play, the Eagles have had eight different players register assists this season, the most in the ASUN.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUWSoccer), Twitter (@FIUWSoccer), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWSoccer) for all the latest Women’s Soccer news.
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.