Sanderson Heads Tigers to 2-0 Win

Sunday, August 21

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

2-0-0

Western Kentucky

1-1-0

Western Kentucky

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Aug 21, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Senior bagged two set-piece goals to improve Memphis to 2-0

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Valerie Sanderson scored two goals on assists from Jessica Lisi to give Memphis a 2-0 win over Western Kentucky at Mike Rose Soccer Complex Sunday. The Tigers are 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2013.

"I'm proud of the girls for this start to the season," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "We are playing a lot of youngsters and there are still some youthful mistakes. There is still a lot of work to do but I'm happy with where we are. It was tough today and a lot of players played a lot of minutes."

Memphis dominated the first half with 11 shots, including six on goal, and six corner kicks but had no goals to show for it. The Hilltoppers managed only one shot in the first period.

Sanderson broke the deadlock from a Lisi corner kick in the 67^th minute. The senior forward out-jumped everyone and headed the ball into the net. She sealed the win just a few minutes later, again with her head but this time from a free kick by Lisi.

For the season Sanderson already has three goals and seven points, and the freshman Lisi recorded her first two career assists.

"Valerie (Sanderson) was good today. She worked for 90 minutes and good things come when you work your tail off. She earned those goals and was the player that we need her to be this year," Monaghan said.

Memphis senior goalkeeper Maryse Bard-Martel was only called on to make two saves in the match and only faced five total shots, though WKU did hit the woodwork twice.

The 2-0 start to the season for the Tigers is the best since 2013 when the team finished with a 13-7-1 record.

"It means a lot to start the season like this because it gives the kids confidence. We have such a young squad that we need that confidence. We have a lot of things that we need to sure up but we are learning a lot from these games," said Monaghan.

The Tigers will embark on their first road trip of the season next weekend with matches against Ole Miss on Friday at 7 p.m. and at Little Rock Sunday at 7 p.m. Memphis will return to Mike Rose Soccer Complex against UMKC on Friday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m.