Memphis Opens Season with 4-1 Win

Friday, August 19

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

1-0-0

Southeastern Louisiana

0-1-0

Southeastern La.

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Aug 19, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Tiger overcome early deficit and cruised to victory

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis rallied from an early deficit and rolled to a 4-1 season-opening win over Southeastern Louisiana Friday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. After going down 1-0, the Tigers rattled off three goals in the span of seven minutes at the end of the first half and beginning of the second half.

"We had a slow start but we have a lot of young kids," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "We are looking forward to building off of this game. There is a lot to work on and it is still so early. There are no easy games so we are happy to get out of here with a victory."

Last season's American Rookie of the Year Marie Levasseur got the scoring started in the 41^st minute, tucking away a shot from close range after a great pass by senior Valerie Sanderson.

Less than five minutes later, freshman Serena Dolan was in the right place at the right time to give Memphis the lead after a corner kick bounced around and fell to her feet.

Just after halftime Sanderson gave the Tigers a third. Sophomore substitute Chanel Hudson-Marks sprinted down the right wing and served in a great ball that was blasted into the back of the net by Sanderson.

Junior Alyxandria Stafford put the game away in the 71^st minute with her second career goal. The goal was the product of more great wing play, as sophomore Elizabeth Woerner made a great run down the left wing and crossed to Stafford's feet where she knocked it in.

After starting a bit slowly, the Tigers grew into the match and dominated the second half. Memphis outshot Southeastern 28-16 with a 16-5 advantage in the second half.

Senior goalkeeper Maryse Bard-Martel bounced back well after allowing the early goal. She finished the match with five saves including a few big stops in the second half.

"It's important for us to play simple and play our game. In the first half tonight we weren't playing simple enough. We did a better job of that in the second half and it opened some things up. We have a lot weapons going forward. We do need to sort out a few things defensively but we are brand new in the back so we have to be realistic. It's going to take time but I have confidence they are going to be great," said Monaghan.

Memphis will be back on the field at Mike Rose Soccer Complex on Sunday as the Tigers host Western Kentucky at 1 p.m.