Tigers, Pirates battle to 1-1 draw

Sunday, October 13

Greenville, N.C.

12 p.m.

University of Memphis

13-1-1, 5-0-1

ECU

5-6-2, 2-1-1

Memphis

East Carolina

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Oct 13, 2019 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. – No. 8 Memphis women's soccer battled ECU to a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon at Johnson Stadium.

The Tigers outshot the Pirates by a 23-7 margin throughout the afternoon, including a 12-1 mark in the first half.

"The No. 1 thing we talked about before the game was mentality. I think we took our foot off the gas mentally and physically a little bit," head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "You know you have a huge target on your back, and you go against a team that works their tail off. That's why ECU made it so tough."

Despite Memphis maintaining possession for most of the match, ECU tallied the game's first goal in the 68^th minute.

The Tigers answered quickly with an equalizing score just 45 seconds later when Clarissa Larisey found Claire Abrey at the top of the box for her fourth goal of the season.

"That goal was massive. I think it shows the true character of this team," Monaghan said of the score. "I thought that character wasn't there for 90 minutes unfortunately today, but it did show what this team is about in not giving up. It was massive to not put our heads down. I was proud of them for responding."

Memphis and ECU played out a stalemate for the remaining 40 minutes to force the Tigers' first draw since 2017.

"We were unfortunate not to score a couple earlier goals. The more time you give a team like ECU without putting a goal on them, the more confidence you give them. Their confidence grew, and maybe our frustration grew a bit," Monaghan added. "We got a point on the road. No game is easy in this league. It showed we are not invincible. We have to be mentally and physically sharp for every match we play."

After a week away from the pitch, the Tigers will return to action against Houston for Senior Night on Oct. 24. Kick from Park Avenue Campus is slated for 7 p.m.