MIAMI, Florida - FIU and Missouri State played to a 1-1 draw in a physical NCAA soccer match on Sunday afternoon at FIU Soccer Stadium. The match, witnessed by a spirited crowd, saw both teams create quality chances before settling for a point apiece.
Missouri State's Reilly Heman opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a low drive to the left corner. FIU equalized in the 63rd minute when Montelene Dymond headed home a well-placed cross from Grace Morris, setting up an intense finish to the match.
The first half was marked by Missouri State's aggressive pressing, with Riley Smith testing FIU's defense early with a shot wide in the 9th minute. The Bears continued to apply pressure, with Maggie O'Keefe forcing a save in the 14th minute before Heman's breakthrough goal. FIU's best chance came from Chinatsu Kaio, who struck the woodwork in the 24th minute. The half ended dramatically when FIU goalkeeper Valery Restrepo was shown a straight red card in the 44th minute for serious foul play.
Despite being down to ten players, FIU showed remarkable resilience in the second half. Substitute goalkeeper Odaliana Gomez made several crucial saves, including stops against O'Keefe in the 51st minute and Reilly Heman in the 54th minute. The Panthers' persistence paid off when Dymond's header leveled the score. Missouri State pushed for a winner late, with Maya Maxwell forcing a save from Bears keeper Ella Becker in the 88th minute.
The statistics reflected the match's competitive nature, with Missouri State recording 14 shots to FIU's 9. Both teams managed 6 shots on target, while the Panthers held a slight edge in corner kicks (3-2). The match's physical nature was evident in the card count, with FIU receiving three yellow cards in addition to Restrepo's red.
Several players stood out individually. FIU's Gomez proved instrumental after coming on, making 5 crucial saves to preserve the draw. Missouri State's Heman was a constant threat, recording multiple shots and scoring the opener, while Dymond's equalizer capped a strong performance for the Panthers. Bears goalkeeper Ella Becker finished with 5 saves, including a crucial stop in the final minutes.
Tactically, Missouri State's high press caused problems for FIU early, but the Panthers adjusted well after going down to ten men. The Bears' strategy of attacking down the flanks through Heman and Smith created several dangerous opportunities, while FIU's compact defensive shape after the red card proved effective in limiting clear chances.
The draw extends FIU's unbeaten run to two matches following their victory over Louisiana Tech, bringing their record to 7-5-4. Missouri State (5-8-4) showed improvement from recent defeats to Louisiana Tech and Sam Houston, demonstrating resilience on the road.
The match ultimately hinged on three key moments: Heman's precise finish, Restrepo's dismissal, and Dymond's equalizer. Both teams showed character in different ways - Missouri State in controlling much of the play, and FIU in fighting back with ten men. The result leaves both teams with positives to build on as they enter the final stretch of the season.
Looking ahead, FIU will travel to face Western Kentucky next weekend, while Missouri State returns home to host Murray State in a crucial conference matchup.