FIU teams win some, lose some

The week ending on Sept. 20 brought victory and defeat to FIU’s football, volleyball, soccer (men’s and women’s), golf, and cross country teams.

FIU’s volleyball team scored its 10^th win of the season on Sept. 19 at the Radisson-UCF Classic as it defeated host UCF, 3-0 (25-9, 25-21, 25-20).

Led by tournament MVP senior Olga Vergun and all-tournament selections juniors Natalia Valentin and freshman Jovana Bjelica, the Golden Panthers swept the competition in Orlando, defeating each of its opponents by a 3-0 score. The team is 10-2 on the year.

“Winning the UCF tournament [this way] was a great way to finish the pre-season and set the tone for our Sun Belt Conference (SBC) play,” said head coach Danijela Tomic. “Our team showed, again, the character of champions and why we have set high expectations for ourselves.”

The blue-and-gold team will return to action on Sept. 25 as it begins SBC play at Troy and at South Alabama on Sept. 27.

FIU football rallies, loses

Meanwhile, in New Jersey on Sept. 19, the Golden Panthers rallied late but ultimately fell to Rutgers as FIU lost 23-15.

“It was a hard-fought game and we got it going too late,” said head coach Mario Cristobal.

FIU will come back to Miami for its home opener against Toledo at FIU Stadium at Modesto A. Maidique Campus on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, out on the links

Sophomore Lauren Blease carded a second-round, 82, and finished tied for 44th place at 16-over, 160, at the Lady Paladin Invitational. Photo: FIUSports.com.

On Sept. 20, the blue-and-gold golf team finished the rain-drenched Lady Paladin Invitational in 10^th place, 24 strokes behind team winner and defending Division II champion Nova Southeastern.

Junior Paula Hurtado was the top finisher for FIU. Her 10-over, 154 total, tied for 11^th place.

The Golden Panthers will next compete in the Bette Lou Evans Invitational in Lexington, Ky., Sept. 25-27.

And in soccer news…

The men’s soccer pushed No.8 Indiana to double overtime on Sept. 20 in Akron, but the Hoosiers managed to break through the blue-and-gold defense in the second extra period, beating the Golden Panthers, 2-1.

The loss dropped FIU’s record under the .500 mark at 3-4. FIU finished fourth at the Akron University Tournament and defender Anthony Hobbs, along with goalkeeper Shane Lopez, were named to the all-tournament team.

Up next for the Golden Panthers: opening conference play against the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa on Sept. 30.

On the women’s soccer front, the team dropped a 2-0 decision to undefeated Arkansas on Sept. 20 in its final non-conference match of the season. FIU (2-4-2) took five shots on goal, but were never able to capitalize off the opportunities.

For more information on these games, as well as full schedules and tickets, call 305-FIU-GAME.