Overtime Heartbreak for Tigers in NCAA Tournament

Friday, November 11

Fayetteville, AR

6:30 PM

University of Memphis

14-5-1

Arkansas

18-5

Team	1	2	OT 1	Final F
Memphis	1	0	0	1
Arkansas	0	1	1	2

Photo by: Walt Beazley

Nov 11, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Memphis falls to No. 17 Arkansas in first round of NCAA Tournament

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Memphis held on for more than 87 minutes and led No. 17 Arkansas in front of 1,458 fans at Razorback Field in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the Razorbacks scored just before the end of regulation and then two minutes into overtime to seal the 2-1 win.

"That is a tough way to lose but Arkansas did what they are known for, they got us on a couple of set pieces," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "I'm very proud of my group of girls, and the battle and heart. They continued to play their style of soccer with the pressure that Arkansas put on us."

Memphis ends the season 14-5-1, but returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011. Goalkeeper Maryse Bard-Martel and forward Valerie Sanderson ended their outstanding careers after leading the Tigers back to the postseason.

The Razorbacks started the match quickly, smashing a shot off the crossbar in the opening minute. The game settled after the frantic opening minutes of the game but Arkansas held a 5-1 shot advantage deep into the first half.

Just before halftime, Memphis grabbed the lead on Chanel Hudson-Marks' third goal of the season. Memphis forced a save after a free kick from just outside of the Arkansas box. Necee Jennings then served the ball back into the box and Hudson-Marks headed it into the bottom corner.

The two teams battled through the second half with both teams having multiple chances. The Tigers had 10 shots and the Razorbacks had eight during the second period.

With just two minutes left in regulation, Arkansas scored from a corner kick to send the match into overtime. Maryse Bard-Martel made an initial save on the corner kick but the rebound was knocked into the back of the net.

Freshman midfielder Jessica Lisi was nearly able to win the match in regulation after she made a great run down the left wing but her shot was saved.

Arkansas won the match from another set piece, scoring from a header after a long free kick.

"It's tough when any season ends. My focus has to be on my team, this group of young kids. We only lose two seniors. We brought this program back to where it was and put it back on the map, where it was a few years ago," said Monaghan.

Memphis will return 23 players next season, including 10 freshmen and nine sophomores from this season's roster. The Tigers' senior class next year will consist of Necee Jennings, Sydney Kingston, Miranda Smith, Alyxandria Stafford and Sessen Stevens.