Peter Holland // Assistant Sports Director
The women’s soccer team’s home opening game started with a 35-minute lightning delay and ended in a stormy defeat after the team was routed by the undefeated Wake Forest Demon Deacons 4-0.
With less than 72 minutes left in the second half, the game was called off due to another lightning delay, resulting in the Panthers’ current record of 0-2-1.
Senior goalkeeper Sophia Trujillo was outnumbered by Wake Forest’s offense led by junior defender Maddie Huster, who recorded three goals in four shots in the first half. One of her goals was a hat trick right across the left sideline. This would be her ninth hat trick in her collegiate career.
In the second half, she recorded an assist when her fellow teammate, Bayley Feist, scored the final goal before everyone was evacuated due to the lightning delay. Despite a dominating performance by Huster, Trujillo managed to record four saves the entire game.
The Panthers failed to get in scoring position so far this season. In the last three games, the Panthers were outshot by their opponents 54-17, averaging 5.7 shots a game.
Last week against University of South Florida, FIU lost in an overtime fashion 2-3, led by senior midfielder Alyssa Robinson, who scored twice in that game. The week before, the team traveled to Deland, Florida, to face Stetson University for their opening game, ending in a 1-1 tie.
During that game, Sophomore Jacky Manteas hit a free kick from 35 yards out into the box, and freshman Michaela Rouse made a head-in goal after the pass.
The Panthers will travel to Fort Myers, Florida, to face Florida Gulf Coast University on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.