University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
4-5-2,1-1-0
USF
5-5-1,0-2-0
Late Goal Lifts Lady Tigers to First Conference Victory
Sep 28, 2014 | Women's Soccer
Box Score |
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Box Score
MEMPHIS,Tenn. - Senior forward Kaitlyn Atkins scored a late winner to help the Lady Tigers net their first conference win of the season 1-0 against the University of South Florida at Mike Rose Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.
In the 83rd minute, Nugene Nugent received a ball in the box and turned to shoot. Her shot was blocked, but Atkins came in and with her first touch hit it under the grasp of the diving keeper and into the net for the only goal on the afternoon.
With the win, Memphis improves to 4-5-2 (1-1-0 AAC), and USF falls to 5-5-1 (0-2-0 AAC).
It was the fourth time Memphis has shut out a conference opponent since joining the American Athletic Conference a year ago. Two of the shutouts came in last season's conference tournament.
The first half did not require much action from either team's goalkeepers, as Memphis held a 5-4 shot advantage, but only forced two saves, while Maryse Bard-Martel went unchallenged.
Despite the lack of goal-scoring opportunities, Memphis went into the break with six corner kicks.
The action started to pick up in the second half, as five minutes in Atkins received a ball on the right side of the box and cut in onto her left foot, only to have her shot saved.
Maryse Bard-Martel came through with another great save two minutes later when she stopped a one-on-one. She came out to meet the USF forward and somehow was able to deflect the shot from pointblank out for a corner.
For the next 30 minutes the teams would trade a couple of chances until Atkins broke the deadlock.
After the goal, Memphis would have another opportunity when Atkins served in one of her patented crosses to the back post, but Valerie Sanderson's header went just wide.
From then on Memphis defended its goal and ran the clock down when it could.
At the end of the game, the Lady Tigers held a 13-8 shot advantage, and each goalkeeper made three saves.
The Lady Tigers return to action on Thursday when they travel to Storrs, Conn. To take on UConn. Follow the Memphis women's soccer team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @MemphisWSoccer to keep up-to-date with everything going on within the program.
Team Stats
ATKINS, Kaitlyn (3)
Assisted By: NUGENT, Nugene
off rebound
81:27
