Women’s Soccer Kicks Off Season With Shutout Victory

Friday, August 18

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

1-0

Samford

0-1

Samford

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Women’s Soccer Kicks Off Season With Shutout Victory

Aug 18, 2017 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Tigers win third-straight home opener

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis women's soccer team kicked off the 2017 season on the right foot with a 3-0 victory over Samford Friday evening. The Tigers scored early and added to the lead in the second half en route to the shutout victory.

This is the third straight season the Tigers have opened the season at home with a win.

"Overall, I am just happy to get this win," said head coach Brooks Monaghan. "Winning isn't easy. We won 3-0 against a quality opponent, but there are things we need to clean up. You take it for the first game and you run with it."

Junior forward Elizabeth Woerner ignited the Tiger offense in the 12^th minute, capitalizing on a free kick by Olivia Gauthier. Gauthier's free kick found open ground in front of the goal and Woerner flicked the ball into the upper left corner to give the Tigers the lead.

Olivia Gauthier earns the assist on Lizzie's goal! Great start to the 2017 season! #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/5no1fcM92z
— Memphis W Soccer (@MemphisWSoccer) August 19, 2017

Just five minutes later, Woerner connected again for her third career multi-goal match, giving the Tigers a 2-0 edge over the Bulldogs. Stasia Mallin earned her first assist of the season on a cross from the right side that found Woerner open.

Here's a look back at Lizzie's second goal of the match, assisted by Stasia Mallin! #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/9jayE8R2eq
— Memphis W Soccer (@MemphisWSoccer) August 19, 2017

Throughout the first half Samford threatened the Tigers, but crucial saves by goalkeeper Rachel Ashworth Shepard combined with solid defense by the Tigers kept the Bulldogs scoreless.

In the 56^th minute, freshman Clarissa Larisey connected for her first collegiate goal on a cross by Mallin, her second of the match.

Here's Larisey's first collegiate goal to expand on the Tigers lead. #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/7MvbKwP1yV
— Memphis W Soccer (@MemphisWSoccer) August 19, 2017

Samford continued to pressure the Tiger defense throughout the remainder of the contest, including a header in the 78^th minute that hit off the crossbar.

Both teams fired off 11 shots in the contest and Samford finished with six corners to the Tigers' three. Ashworth Shepard concluded the match with five saves in 90 minutes of action. Woerner led the Tigers with five shots, three of which were on goal.

Memphis will return to the Mike Rose Soccer Complex Sunday evening for a non-conference match against Sun Belt foe Little Rock. Kick-off against the Trojans is at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on the Memphis Tiger Network. For more information on the women's soccer team, follow the Tigers on Facebook and Twitter at MemphisWSoccer.