MIAMI (Sept. 1 ,2013) – The FIU women’s soccer team (1-2-0) fell to the No. 8-ranked Florida Gators (3-1-0) Sunday night at the FIU Soccer Stadium, 4-0. It was a physical game for both teams, and Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt was impresses with his team’s energy.

“I was proud of the fight tonight,” said Chestnutt. “Some things could have been avoided, but I was proud with how we battled out there for the full 90 minutes.”

The Panthers came out strong and held the Gators scoreless until the 37^th minute when Florida’s Caroline Triglia chipped one past freshman Vanessa Plasencia. FIU’s defense was tested all night, spending the majority of the half in their zone. Plasencia had eight saves in the match, putting her season total at 23.

“They didn’t give up and they didn’t stop looking for the goal,” said Chestnutt.

In the 50^th minute, sophomore Morgan Morris drew a foul in the area as goal keeper Taylor Burke tripped up the Virginia native, resulting in a penalty kick. Sophomore Madlen Weinhardt took the penalty kick; however, it was saved by Burke. Two minutes later, Florida scored again, courtesy of Savannah Jordan, who leads the Gators with six goals on the season.

Florida would score two more times, in the 54^th minute and the 59^th minute. Freshman Alyssa Robinson had a couple good looks on the left side in the 63^rd minute, which ultimately boosted her team.

We played a great Florida team,” said Chestnutt. “They aren’t in the top 10 for nothing. We have to be able to take our chances in the end.”

FIU will next host Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, Sept.6. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m. from the FIU Soccer Stadium.

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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