University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Houston
Lady Tigers Drop 1-0 Decision To Houston
Oct 27, 2002 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 27, 2002
Memphis, Tenn. - Houston midfielder Nikki Hawkins spoiled "Senior Day" for the University of Memphis women's soccer team as her goal in the 83rd minute gave the Cougars a 1-0 victory Sunday at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Houston (7-7-2) improved to 3-3-2 in conference play while the Lady Tigers (8-8-1) fell to 4-5.
Memphis controlled play in the first half outshooting the Cougars 6-4, but neither team could capitalize on their scoring chances as the game went scoreless in the opening 45 minutes.
"We came out and played well in the first half, but just came out flat after the break," Head Coach Brooks Monaghan said. "They came out rearing to go after the break and that was the difference in the game. That is why they won the game."
The game appeared to be headed towards overtime as each team struggled to get off decent scoring chances, but the Cougars caught a break when Hawkins cut in front of a pass. The speedy midfielder then used her quickness to get around a UM defender and chipped a shot just over the outstreched hands of Lady Tiger goalkeeper Katarina Wicksell into the corner of the net. The goal was the first scored on Wicksell in four-straight league matches stretching over a period of 383 minutes.
The Lady Tigers outshot Houston 12-9 for the match with sophomore Kirsty Marr recording a team-high four shots. Seniors Alison Baker, Becca Amrozowicz and Anna Thorsdottir played the final home match of their careers Sunday. Amrozowicz nearly scored early in the match off a corner kick, but her header was saved by the quick reflexes of Cougar goalkeeper Erin Ferguson. That was one of two saves Ferguson made in the match while Wicksell also had two saves.
Memphis returns to action when they travel to cross-town rival Christian Brothers for a match at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday. The Lady Tigers will conclude their C-USA schedule Friday in New Orleans when they face Tulana in a match that could decide whether Memphis receives a bid for the C-USA tournament.
