FIU Welcomes Florida State for 2026 Home Opener

MIAMI, FL – FIU faces the Florida State Seminoles in their home opener on August 16th at 6 p.m. The Panthers have yet to figure out the formula to take down the reigning national champs, falling 0-7 all-time. Sunday night will be their opportunity to end the losing streak and take down the No. 4 team in the country.

Being the national champions puts a huge target on their back, but FSU is not shying away from the pressure. Florida State is coming off a 4-0 win over the Stetson Hatters in their season opener. A slow start for both teams until the second half, when FSU scored four straight to close out the game. Next up is a rematch vs FIU before heading up north for their home debut.

FIU Kicks Off Their Season

The Panthers are coming off their first game of the year vs Florida Atlantic, which resulted in a 1-1 draw. The game started slowly for both teams until FAU broke the ice and took the lead. With 10 minutes left in the game, FIU freshman Yuzu Tanida scored her first collegiate goal to tie the game before time expired. Yuzu did not score alone; she was assisted by Adria Kitzinger, who recorded the Panthers’ first assist of the season. Despite the draw, the Panthers held their own and avoided a loss.

Yesterdays @FIUWSoccer season opener ended in a draw vs FAU

1-1 was the final score in Boca Raton⚽️

Yuzu Tanida scored her first goal of the match with 10 minutes remaining to tie the game 👀

Next up : FSU @ FIU Aug 16th #FIU #FIUSoccer #Pawsup #Sportswithseb…

— SportswithSeb🏀🏈 (@Sportswithseb) August 13, 2026

FIU vs FSU History

This will be just the eighth time in program history that these two universities have faced off. Their last matchup was close to a year ago, which resulted in a 2-0 victory for FSU.

The Seminoles have had the Panthers’ number in their past three matchups, not allowing a single goal. With goalie Valery Restrepo returning for FIU, the Seminoles will be fighting for any opportunity to get a good shot at the net. Restrepo had a huge save in their season opener vs FAU; had she missed, the Panthers would have fallen to 0-1.

Mat Dunn lost his first game as the FIU Head Coach last year vs FSU. With a rematch set, Dunn has the opportunity to make history by getting the program’s first win vs the Seminoles. Come Sunday night, all eyes will be watching this Florida matchup at Leyva Family Field.

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