CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte women’s soccer won its sixth-in-a-row Sunday afternoon, as a second-consecutive shutout provided the 49ers with a 3-0 triumph over visiting FIU at Transamerica Field. The victory ensured the Niners with their longest win streak since 2012 when they tallied six-in-a-row during their final season of Atlantic 10 membership.

It also marked the first time Charlotte (7-3, 2-0 C-USA) has opened a league campaign with consecutive shutouts since 2001. Only one other time in program history, in 1999, had it occurred prior to 2001.

Freshman Abby Stapleton finished with five saves, four in the second period, to preserve her third solo clean sheet of the campaign and fourth overall for the Niners netminders, this fall. Stapleton was the last line of a defensive unit that limited the Panthers’ chances all afternoon, as Charlotte dominated possession and the shot column, posting a 23-to-6 advantage on attempts and putting up double-digit shots in each half.

Charlotte first cracked the scoreboard at 34:42 as the lethal scoring duo in the final third struck again. Senior Martha Thomas, an All-America and Senior CLASS Award candidate, fired a shot at FIU (1-5, 0-1 C-USA) goalie Nevena Stojakovic who bobbled the ball. The loose ball landed at the feet of sophomore Megan Greene, who poked it home into the open net to tie Thomas for the team lead with seven goals, including two game winners, this fall.

The Niners continued to pressure the Panthers back line and would take advantage of a set piece in the 41st minute. Junior Amelia Clower swung a corner kick into the six-yard box, where sophomore Julia Grainda deflected it in between the pipes to double the Charlotte margin at 40:06. The 2-0 score would remain until halftime.

Not looking to rest on their laurels, the 49ers relentless pursuit continued in the second stanza. By continuing to put FIU on its heels, Charlotte was able to create multiple chances once again. The breakthrough came in the 67th minute, as another corner kick proved to be a difference maker.

This time, sophomore Riley Orr, a member of the All-Conference USA Freshman Team last fall and the 2017 Preseason All-Conference USA Team, sent her corner kick into the box to foster a playable situation. Clower was able to one-touch a short pass inside the box to sophomore Jamie Fankhauser, who split the Panthers defense with an attempt from eight yards out to cap the scoring at 66:47 and give the Niners the 3-0 cushion.

Thomas’ assist was No. 25 and point No. 107 in her illustrious career, giving her at least one point in every game the 49ers have scored during her senior season.

Twenty-one Charlotte players saw action Sunday afternoon, including the 49ers debut for transfer Amanda Karlsson. Orr returned to the field for the first time since August 27 at Wake Forest, while freshmen Remi Roberts, Kendall Hamilton and Maddie Bragaw all saw time as substitutions.

The Niners hit the road for the Lone Star State for their next two outings, starting at 9 p.m. ET Friday in El Paso, Texas, against UTEP. The journey concludes at 1 p.m. ET Sunday in San Antonio against UTSA.

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