Memphis Suffers Overtime Defeat to Temple

Sunday, October 18

Memphis, Tenn.

1:00 PM CT

University of Memphis

7-6-3, 2-3-2

Temple

10-6-1, 2-4-1

OT 1

Temple

Memphis

Photo by: Ashley Helliwell

Oct 18, 2015 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Tigers unable to capitalize on Valerie Sanderson’ early goal

Memphis scored in the sixth minute of the match but struggled the rest of the way as Temple won 2-1 in overtime Sunday at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Tigers will head back on the road for the final two regular-season matches.

"It's very tough right now and you've got to find a way to move forward," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "Today was a game I thought we beat ourselves. We started the game extremely well and we came out focused playing our style of soccer. Then we got away from that. There was a lack of focus and that punished us today."

Junior forward Valerie Sanderson pounced on an early defensive mistake by the Owls and fired a shot into the back of the net.

The Memphis lead lasted about 15 minutes before an errant pass fell to the feet of Elaine Byerley, who unleashed a long-range shot that flew over Maryse Bard-Martel and just under the cross bar. The goal was Byerley's first of the season.

Neither team could find the back of the net for the remainder of regulation.

The Tigers started the overtime period with the better chances and fired off four shots before Temple scored the winner. The Owls scored off of a free kick that was head back across goal and finished off by Gina DiTaranto.

"This one is really hard to swallow. It will be a test of our character moving forward because we need results. Just have to put our heads down and work our tails off. When we're working hard, good things happen," said Monaghan.

Memphis will play at Cincinnati Friday at 6:00 p.m. before going to East Carolina for the regular-season finale Sunday at 12:00 p.m.