MIAMI (Oct. 15, 2021) – The FIU women's soccer team came back in thrilling fashion to force overtime against the Hilltoppers, but the Panthers ultimately fell by a score of 3-2 on Senior Day at FIU Soccer Stadium.
FIU honored its twelve seniors before the match, as
Laia Muñoz Danon,
Kédie Johnson,
Jessica Magerman,
Idelys Vazquez,
Estefania Cardona,
Casey Kane,
Courtney Walker,
Charity O'Neal,
Alex King,
Sydni Greaves,
Sarah Ward, and
Kiera Gibson were all honored in front of the Panther faithful.
The Blue & Gold were faced by a pressing WKU defense which led to two opening goals for the Hilltoppers in the seventh and 20th minutes of the action. Soon after in the 27th minute, FIU was fouled and awarded a free kick in the attacking third. Cardona launched the free kick into the box where it was accidentally headed in by a Hilltopper for a WKU own-goal, as the Panthers cut the deficit to 2-1 just before the half.
Following the intermission, the Panthers applied more pressure on the WKU net as the Blue & Gold quadrupled their shot attempt total from the first half.
In the 68th minute,
Noemi Paquin had the highlight of the game, as she displayed impressive ball skills and bossed the WKU defense for an equalizing goal. Paquin made an impressive move to beat a Hilltopper defender near midfield, then drove into the box and found an opening where she fired off a strike into the back of the net. In the 84th minute, Paquin was attacking once again and floated a perfect cross into the box for Magermen, but an excellent header attempt by Magerman was saved at the near post.
The Panthers extended into overtime against one of the best teams in Conference USA, but FIU fell just short as the Hilltoppers secured the game-winning goal in overtime.
Paquin added to her team-leading goal count, as the Panther recorded her 5th goal of the season.
Defender Cardona tallied her first-ever assist while donning the Blue & Gold after the Panther was honored on Senior Day.
UP NEXT
FIU will next travel to Norfolk, Virginia to face Old Dominion. The match is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 22, beginning at 7 p.m. ET at the ODU Soccer Complex.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIUWSoc Instagram and @FIUWSoccer on Facebook and Twitter. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
