Freshmen Shine in 1-0 Win over UT Martin

Friday, September 11

Memphis, Tenn.

7:30 PM CT

University of Memphis

3-1-1

UT Martin

1-5-0

UTM

Memphis

Photo by: Jimmy Mitchell

Sep 11, 2015 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

A season high six freshmen started in the win

Six freshmen started for Memphis on Friday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex, and the first-year Tigers made the most of the opportunity by leading their team to a 1-0 win over UT Martin. The lone goal was an all freshmen connection, as forward Chanel Hudson-Marks headed in a corner kick by Olivia Gauthier.

"We've had some highs and lows this early in the season, which is expected with such a young squad," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "We got better today because there were some young players that hadn't played many minutes at all that played some massive minutes tonight."

A few of the newcomers, Olivia Gauthier, Catherine Levasseur, Marie Levasseur and Elizabeth Woerner have been regular starters through the first five games of the season. But Willa Taylor was making her first start in the unfamiliar position of defense while Hudson-Marks made a second start of the season.

Gauthier had started the first four matches of the season in the midfield, but with the absences of seniors Marissa Duguay and Diamond Simpson she was asked to play alongside Taylor in defense. The duo of Gauthier and Taylor was rock solid and held the Skyhawks to just three shots in the entire match.

"With missing two of our top players we had to make some adjustments. Willa hasn't been playing many minutes but now she has the nerves out. This made us a little deeper with playing first-year players that hadn't played in defense," Monaghan said.

Memphis was stout defensively, just as they have been in each of their wins. Goalkeeper Maryse Bard Martel made two saves in the match but the majority of the Skyhawks' chances weren't threatening.

The Tigers dominated the first half but were unable to score. UT Martin's goalkeeper MaKenzi Crawford made one great save on a header from Valerie Sanderson. Memphis also had some appeals for a penalty in the first half but didn't get the call.

Hudson-Marks' goal came just six minutes after halftime. Gauthier served in a great ball and Hudson Marks' out-jumped the defenders to head it in from close range.

"We do need to find a way to score more goals. This game we needed to put away. Our attacking players are so young though. We have to evaluate things and ask ourselves if we're playing the best system to allow us to score goals. We're still trying to figure this team out a little bit. When you have so many young players it takes time," said Monaghan.

Memphis is back at Mike Rose Soccer Complex to host Idaho Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The match was originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. but moved to earlier in the day.