University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Marshall
Memphis Explodes on Marshall, 8-0
Oct 01, 2006 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 1, 2006
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - After missing out on numerous scoring opportunities over its last several matches, the Memphis women's soccer team finally showed its offensive firepower Sunday in an 8-0 route of conference foe Marshall.
The Lady Tigers (5-4-2, 1-0-1 C-USA) scored early and often against the Thundering Herd. Sophomore transfer Maiko Higashiyama picked the first and second goals of her Memphis career, leading off the scoring parade less than one minute into the match.
"It's just a big load off of the kids' minds," said Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan. "We had been so close so many times, and I think that starts to effect the players as well as the coaches. We kept saying that eventually it would come together and today it finally did."
Higashiyama knocked in the first goal 34 seconds after the opening kick, gaining control of the ball after it deflected off of Marshall goalkeeper Liz Orton. For the rest of the contest Memphis absolutely dominated the action, taking 17 shots in the first half alone.
The Lady Tigers went up 2-0 at the 14-minute mark when Shoko Mikami picked up her eighth goal of the season off of an assist from fellow senior Nicky McLeod.
Seven minutes later Mikami lofted up a corner kick that was headed in by freshman Brittany Baldwin for the first goal of her collegiate career.
At the 38-minute mark, Eliza Wellford passed the ball to Laura Pfeffer, who immediately found forward Kylie Hayes for the Lady Tigers fourth goal. It was Hayes' seventh goal of the year.
At the half, Memphis had out-shot Marshall 17 to two, and the team continued to pressure the Thundering Herd defense in the second period.
Four minutes into the second half Hayes struck again, this time bending a beautiful shot from the top corner of the box over a leaping Orton and into the top right corner of the goal.
Mikami returned the favor to McLeod, finding the English native streaking down the center of the field for Memphis' fifth goal of the match.
Higashiyama picked up her second goal two minutes later. Much like Hayes, Higashiyama bent the ball from the top left corner of the box and into the top right corner of the net.
Freshman Laura Laufenberg closed out the offensive explosion and picked the first goal of career, scoring with seven minutes remaining in the match to put Memphis up 8-0.
As good as Memphis was on offense, the Lady Tiger defense was equally as impressive. Marshall was able to manage just four shots the entire match, and the Alaskan duo of Kate Murphy and Halley Jo Sullivan smothered every attempt to move the ball down the field.
Goalkeeper Isabel Briones picked up her fifth shutout of the season and the 12th of her career, saving all three of Marshall's shots-on-goal.
"It was a pretty good weekend," said Monaghan. "We picked up three of a possible four points with a win and a tie. Obviously, it would have been nice to get two wins, but we're in good shape. Hopefully, we can carry our momentum over to next weekend."
Memphis will be on the road next weekend, traveling to Orlando for a 7 p.m. tilt with Central Florida on Friday before heading to Southern Miss on Sunday.
