Women’s soccer experiences early exit from SBC championships

The FIU women’s soccer team saw its historic season end on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. University of Arkansas-Little Rock scored in the first minute-and-a-half of overtime for a 1-0 win.

After the squads battled through a scoreless 90 minutes, the Trojans’ Kamiya Merrick had a one-on-one look at the goal. Freshman goalkeeper Kaitlyn Savage, who was named the Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Freshman of the Year, came out to meet her, but Merrick drilled it into the back of the net for the win before Savage could reach it.

Defender Jessica Gambill. Photo courtesy Alex J. Hernandez.

The Panthers dominated offensively for most of the game, drawing five corners to UALR’s one in the first half. They nearly scored off one of the opportunities when April Perry fed it to Katrina Rose 18 minutes into the first half. Rose took a shot but the Trojans managed a team save.

Rose later broke downfield with the ball with Amy Jackson running alongside her left. She passed the ball to Jackson, who fired, and the shot sailed wide left with nine minutes remaining in the half.

FIU continued the attack in the second half, taking 10 shots on goal. Within the first two minutes, Thaisa Moreno dribbled from midfield to the top of the box, but her shot was saved.

With 29:30 to go, Deana Rossi maneuvered through the middle and dished it to Perry on the right side. Perry cut in and shot, but Jane Picarelli again came up with a save. Less than three minutes later, Perry inserted the ball from the right side to Moreno, whose header was deflected.

Savage kept the game alive by making a diving save when Christina Veasley broke away from the right side and fired with 10:30 remaining.

FIU’s last scoring attempt of regulation nearly ended the game. Cortney Bergin inserted the ball into the box, but Picarelli jumped to tip Marina Pappas‘ shot over the crossbar with 9:25 remaining.

FIU finished the year as the SBC regular-season champions sporting an 11-6-3 record – the most wins by the program since 2001. Head coach Thomas Chestnutt was named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. The Panthers earned four All-Conference first- and second-team selections.