MIAMI (August 29, 2013) -- Following a strong second half performance against Arizona in the first game of FIU’s inaugural Conference USA season, the women’s soccer team (0-1-0) will travel to DeLand, Fla., for a 7 p.m. match against Stetson (1-0-1) on Friday, Aug. 30.

Versus Arizona, the Panthers saw senior Crystal McNamara score in the 74th minute and sophomore Madlen Weinhardt score in the 82nd minute.

“We tried to focus on not keeping the ball up the middle when we regain possession this week in practice,” said Weinhardt. “I think we’re prepared and really focused for the game.”

FIU is 13-4-1 all-time against Stetson, winning last year’s contest 4-0 in the season opener. Junior Scarlett Montoya scored twice for the Panthers in the victory. The team knows that ball possession and finishing will be critical in capturing their first win of the young season.

“We’re focused on getting the ball up the field,” said redshirt sophomore Sara Stewart. “We focused on possession and making sure our attack is organized this week in practice. We’re ready to score some goals.”

Stetson, under direction of first-year Head Coach Manoj Khetty, went 3-13-1 in 2012. They return 13 letterwinners and nine starters this year, including Alyssa Welsh and Mara Meomanivane, who tied for the team lead in goals in 2012 with three each. Still, FIU knows Stetson is a strong opponent on their home field.

“We’re feeling good,” said Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt. “We addressed all the things we needed to fix this week in practice. Stetson is a good team, and they’ve always been good at home, so it’ll be a good game.”

FIU next plays at home Sunday, Sept.1, at 7 p.m. against the Florida Gators.

Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUWomensSoccer) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWSoccer) for all the latest FIU women’s soccer news. Follow all of FIU’s 18 athletic teams on Google+ (FIU Athletics), Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).
 
About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including U.S. Century Bank Arena and Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor¹s, master¹s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida¹s anchor institutions, FIU is Worlds Ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded 200,000 degrees and enrolls 50,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu

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