HUNTSVILLE — First-place FIU scored two first half goals to pull away from Sam Houston for a 3-1 Conference USA victory at Pritchett Field on Sunday afternoon. 
 
The Panthers (10-3, 5-0 CUSA) took control of the match early when Naomi Paquin scored off a rebound when a shot hit the cross bar. FIU almost scored again but took a 1-0 lead five minutes into the match. 
 
Paquin scored her second goal when she broke free and outran a pair of defenders for an easy goal as there was not much keeper Cassia Souza could do. Just like that, it was 2-0 in the 37th minute. 
 
The Bearkats (6-6-2, 3-3) kept fighting and clawing back into the match.  
 
Gabrielle Williams made a huge play off the bench when she was able to get the ball ahead to Pam Murray. Murray split the defenders and won the race to the goal as she pushed it past the keeper to the left to make it 2-1 in the 76th minute. 
 
The Panthers managed a long insurance goal to seal it. 
 
Sam Houston will host Middle Tennessee in the finale home match of the season on Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.