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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – FIU will travel up north to play its first match of the 2025 season against No. 3 Florida State in an in-state showdown on Sunday, August 17 at 7 p.m., to be broadcasted on ACCNX.
Sunday, August 17 at 7 p.m.
Time / Site: 7 p.m. / Seminole Soccer Complex
Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics
The Panthers face-off against the Seminoles for the first time since the 2008 season, with FSU leading the all-time series, 7-0.
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 conference tournament, but the 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 SEMINOLES
Coming in at No. 3 in the first poll of the women’s soccer season, Florida State has solidified themselves as a perennial powerhouse.
Last season, FSU went 15-2-4, and 7-2-1 in ACC-play. The Seminoles beat the eventual national champions in UNC to win the ACC tournament, 3-2. In the NCAA tournament, Florida State fell in round two to Vanderbilt after the Commodores won on penalty kicks, 4-3.
FSU is already 1-0 to start the 2025 campaign, beating in-state rival Florida, 5-0.
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.