University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Women’s Soccer Progressing in Preseason
Aug 10, 2017 | Women's Soccer
Tigers to host Vanderbilt Sunday at noon at Park Avenue Campus
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – With a week of preseason practice in the books, the Memphis women's soccer team is preparing for a pair of exhibition matches this weekend. The Tigers will travel to Mississippi State for a 7 p.m. match on Friday before hosting Vanderbilt Sunday at noon at the Park Avenue Campus.
"I think we are at a good place where we are in preseason. The group has been working extremely hard. They are truly focused," Monaghan said. "We have the right people stepping up into a leadership role and I think they are setting a very good example for our newcomers. We are still only a week in and there is obviously a lot more work ahead of us."
Among the Tigers 28 players on the roster, 18 were on last season's NCAA Tournament team and 15 of those players have started at least one match in their career. Nine of the 11 starters from the NCAA first round match against Arkansas are back this season. Nine true freshmen and one junior transfer round out the roster.
"We have newcomers that are at all different spots and this is the next level for them. We have some that have transitioned extremely well and some that it takes a little bit more time. The college game is a grind and some of these girls still have to adapt to the rigors. We are making good progress but it takes some a little more time than others. We are moving in a positive direction," said Monaghan.
Memphis will face stiff competition in its preseason matches, going toe-to-toe with a pair of SEC programs. The tough tests will be good preparation for the tough regular-season schedule.
"We definitely have two good tests coming up. We always say preseason is just preseason. It gives us a chance to really get a good look at these kids and it's a chance for them to prove that they can get it done at this level. The opponents that we are playing will give them that opportunity. We are looking forward to playing against someone other than ourselves but its just another step towards August 18, which is what really matters," Monaghan said.
The regular season opens with three consecutive home matches, starting with Samford on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
"I think we are at a good place where we are in preseason. The group has been working extremely hard. They are truly focused," Monaghan said. "We have the right people stepping up into a leadership role and I think they are setting a very good example for our newcomers. We are still only a week in and there is obviously a lot more work ahead of us."
Among the Tigers 28 players on the roster, 18 were on last season's NCAA Tournament team and 15 of those players have started at least one match in their career. Nine of the 11 starters from the NCAA first round match against Arkansas are back this season. Nine true freshmen and one junior transfer round out the roster.
"We have newcomers that are at all different spots and this is the next level for them. We have some that have transitioned extremely well and some that it takes a little bit more time. The college game is a grind and some of these girls still have to adapt to the rigors. We are making good progress but it takes some a little more time than others. We are moving in a positive direction," said Monaghan.
Memphis will face stiff competition in its preseason matches, going toe-to-toe with a pair of SEC programs. The tough tests will be good preparation for the tough regular-season schedule.
"We definitely have two good tests coming up. We always say preseason is just preseason. It gives us a chance to really get a good look at these kids and it's a chance for them to prove that they can get it done at this level. The opponents that we are playing will give them that opportunity. We are looking forward to playing against someone other than ourselves but its just another step towards August 18, which is what really matters," Monaghan said.
The regular season opens with three consecutive home matches, starting with Samford on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
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