Full Focus on American Athletic Conference Play

Thursday, October 1

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM CT

University of Memphis

Houston

Tickets

Photo by: Ashley Helliwell

Sep 30, 2015 | Women's Soccer

Memphis will host Houston and SMU in first full weekend of league play

WHAT: Match 11
WHO: Houston at Memphis
WHEN: 7 p.m. CT, Oct. 1, 2015
WATCH: Memphis Tiger Network
STATS: StatBroadcast
TWITTER: @MemphisWSoccer

WHAT: Match 12
WHO: SMU at Memphis
WHEN: 1 p.m. CT, Oct. 4, 2015
WATCH: Memphis Tiger Network
STATS: StatBroadcast
TWITTER: @MemphisWSoccer

Following a win to close out nonconference play, the Memphis Tigers will turn their undivided attention to the American Athletic Conference for the final eight matches of the regular season. The stretch run starts with two matches at Mike Rose Soccer Complex this weekend, first against Houston Thursday at 7:00 p.m. before SMU Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

"I believe that we are making strides and moving in the right direction," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "Every game from this point is massive when you're playing for points in the conference. You have to take advantage of your home matches and there are no easy matches in this league."

Memphis (5-3-2, 0-0-1 AAC) opened league play with a hard-fought point on the road last week. The Tigers, behind clutch goalkeeping from Maryse Bard-Martel, played to a scoreless draw with Tulsa in the conference opener for both teams.

They followed that result with an overtime win over Gonzaga in the Tigers' last nonconference regular season match of 2015. Junior forward Valerie Sanderson scored the game-winning goal in the 102^nd minute.

For the first time in program history, Memphis has played three consecutive overtime matches. The Tigers accomplished that in a span of six days after first falling to Ole Miss, 1-0, in overtime on September 20.

"Our group is very fit and they can handle it. This week our training sessions have been shorter. From a coaching standpoint you want to make sure that your practices are short and to the point. The kids know what a big weekend this is and they are mentally and physically prepared," Monaghan said.

Houston (4-6, 0-2 AAC) got out to a tough start in conference play with home losses to East Carolina and Cincinnati last week. The Cougars had been on a roll prior to the start of league play though, with three straight shutout wins.

The Cougars spread the scoring around and have three players who have each scored three goals, Lexa Green, Desiree Bowne and Selena Peters.

SMU (4-4-3, 1-0-1 AAC) had a solid start to conference play, picking up a draw with Cincinnati before getting a last gasp win over ECU. The Mustangs will play at Tulsa Thursday night before travelling to Memphis.

Vanessa Valadez scored twice in the win over the Pirates and now has seven goals this season. The freshman forward also has a team high four assists.

"We expect two tough matches this weekend. We are going to have to be at our best to give ourselves a chance to win. The practice this week has been great and the girls seem focused. We are getting better day by day," said Monaghan.

Following this weekend's matches the Tigers will travel to the state of Florida to play UCF and USF.