Game Recap: Women’s Soccer |
MIAMI – FIU women’s soccer are the Conference USA Postseason Champions for the first time in program history after taking down Liberty, 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at their home field.
Deborah Bien-Aime scored the only goal of the match on a penalty kick in the 46th minute, the first goal of her career. The Panthers will move on to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history and first time since 2011, with their game time and opponent to be announced during the selection show Monday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m.
“Earning ‘the Double,’ (winning the conference regular season title and tournament title) is the greatest accomplishment a team can achieve at this point in the season,” head coach Jonathan Garbar had to say after the historic victory. “It is a testament to not simply the commitment and actions of our organization this season, but the development and growth of our champions, the players. Our players are heroes, not simply because of today’s outcome, but because of who they are, and what they stand for, everyday.”
The match was gritty from start to finish, with neither team getting off a shot for the first seven minutes of the game. The Panthers had the most chances in the opening frame, getting off four shots and one shot on goal opposed to Liberty’s zero shots.
The match would go into the half in a scoreless tie.
FIU broke the tie in the opening minutes of the second half, when senior Noemi Paquin found her way deep in the Flames’ box, drawing a foul resulting in a penalty kick.
Fellow senior Bien-Aime was called on to take the kick, promptly punishing the ball through the back of the net to give FIU the 1-0 lead at the 46:32 mark. It is the first goal for Bien-Aime in her career. The fourth year in her final year with the Panthers is having her best season yet, starting 18 of 19 matches for FIU this season and earning a spot on the CUSA First Team All-Conference list.
The rest of the game was similar to the beginning, with the teams trading possession but never resulting in a goal. The FIU defense once again played outstanding, letting up just six shots and three shots on goal in the game, all in the second half.
Sophomore goalkeeper Valery Restrepo had a great game as the last line of defense, saving three shots on goal in the contest.
The Panthers as a team got off 10 shots, led by Noemi Paquin with four and one shot on goal, and Brealyn Viamille with two shots.
FIU’s appearance in the NCAA tournament marks its third-ever, making the NCAA postseason for the first time in 1993 and winning in the first round against Duke, and the last time coming in 2011.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will go to the Women’s Soccer NCAA Tournament for the first time in 13 years, with opponent and game time to be announced during the selection show Monday, November 11 at 4:00 p.m.
BAPTIST HEALTH
The 2024 FIU men’s and women’s soccer season is presented by Baptist Health, the official sports medicine provider of FIU Athletics.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIWSoccer), Twitter (@FIUWomensSoccer), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWomensSoccer) for all the latest FIU Women’s Soccer news.
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
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