RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech soccer continues a three-game home Conference USA home stand as the Techsters welcome FIU Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. to Robert Mack Caruthers Field.  
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Date/Time: Sunday, Oct. 2 | 1 p.m. | Tickets
Location: Robert Mack Caruthers Field (Ruston, La.)
Live Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Live Stream: CUSATV
Series: LA Tech leads 4-2-1 | 2-1-0 in Ruston
Promotions: Youth Game/Book Drive
 
ABOUT LA TECH (3-7-2, 1-2-1 C-USA)
Louisiana Tech sits at four points in the C-USA standings through four matches after dropping their last two at Charlotte (0-2) and at home against Rice (1-4). Tech started conference play with a win at home over WKU (1-0) and a draw at UTEP (2-2).
 
LA Tech currently sits t-6th place in the C-USA standings with FAU, just two points out of the top four. Tech's next two home matchups with FIU and UTEP, who sit 8th and 10th respectively in the standings, will prove to have big implications on the final eight that make the conference tournament in Charlotte. 
 
The Techsters are 3-2-1 at The Mack this season, and 2-3-1 in C-USA play in the facility's second season. Tech will be looking for their 50th overall win at home since 2014.
 
LA Tech has used 19 players in starting roles this season, with only three players starting all 12 matches. 
 
The team continues to be led by senior Sophie Fijneman, Tech's first player to crack the 1,000-minute mark this season. She has gone the distance in 10 of the 12 matches and played all but 33 minutes on Tech's back line this season. She is 12 minutes away from eclipsing 4,000 minutes for her career.
 
Freshman Flavie Dube leads the team in goals scored (3), points (7), shots (12), and shots on goal (8) this season. She has appeared in all 12 matches and made five starts. 
 
In goal, Sydnee Korchak has started 11 matches, posted three shutouts, and registered 43 saves. The former Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Week ranks third in the conference in saves and saves per game (3.91). She is ten minutes away from eclipsing the 1,000-minute mark for the year.
 
ABOUT FIU (2-5-2, 0-2-2 C-USA)
Florida International comes to Ruston with a 1-3-1 mark on the road this season. They earned a 1-1 draw with UTSA at home in their last contest after falling to the current league leaders UAB (0-1) and Rice (0-3).
 
The Panthers also posted a scoreless draw with UTEP to give them two points in the Conference USA standings. 
 
The Panthers' two wins were earned over Stetson (3-1) and Southern (4-2) where sophomore midfielder, Nikole Solis, scored four goals in the two matches earning her Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. Solis leads the team in goals, with five in just nine appearances. Her .59 goals per game average rank No. 2 in the conference. 
 
Ithaisa Vinoly has started all nine matches in goal for the Panthers, playing all but six minutes this season. The senior from Canary Islands Spain has recorded one shutout this season, posting 33 saves, and has allowed 15 goals while facing 88 shots. 
 
The Panthers have scored 11 goals on the year while giving up 15. They have out-shot their opponents 94-92, including a slight edge in shots on goal (50-49). 
 
THE SERIES
LA Tech and FIU will meet for the eighth time on the pitch this Sunday, with Tech leading the all-time series 4-2-1. The Techsters also hold an advantage in games played in Ruston, 2-1-0. 
 
Last season, Tech finished the 2021 campaign with a 4-0 shutout over the Panthers in Miami. FIU's last trip to Ruston took place in 2019, with LA Tech taking the match 3-1. 
 
FIU started the series 2-0 with wins in 2013 and 2015, but Tech has won four of the last five, including a 2-2 double-overtime draw in 2018. 
 
Tech leads the all-time goals scored count 15-8 and has posted three shutouts in the series. The Panthers have blanked the Techsters once. Both teams have scored at least one goal in a match only three times. 
 
TICKETS
Single-game tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth (ages 4-17). All tickets are general admission in the new facility with stands comprised of bleacher-style seating with backs. 
 
Tickets can be purchased now at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631. Single-game tickets can also be purchased on a walk-up basis with gates opening one hour before the matches. 
 
PROMOTIONS
Youth Game – All youth soccer players ages 4-17 will receive free admission to the game if they wear their team's jersey. Each youth team can have two coaches enter with free admission as well. Youth players will be able to walk out with the teams and officials before the game for the National Anthem. At the end of the game, those in attendance will hear a quick word from head coach Steve Voltz.
 
Book Drive Game – Attendees are encouraged to bring new books to donate to the collection bins at the entrances to the game. These books will be donated to local elementary schools and youth centers in the area by the players and staff personally. All books should be new and at no higher than a 12-year-old reading level.
 
STADIUM POLICIES/PARKING
Clear bags are required at all Louisiana Tech athletic events. Fans must sit in the stands and cannot be on the field, on the grass hill, or the sidewalks.  
 
Parking is free and available alongside Stadium Blvd. as well as west of Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. To access the field, fans will enter the main entrance of the Soccer/Softball complexes and go up the steps on the southwest corner of Robert Mack Caruthers Field. An elevator is available for ADA fans or those who do not believe they can get up the stairs. Fans are encouraged to read the Gameday A-Z Guide and review the Clear Bag Policy for any questions regarding the gameday experience. 
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For live in-match updates, follow LA Tech Soccer on Twitter (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LATechSoccer), and Facebook (LATechSoccer).