Tigers down SMU for semifinal win

Friday, November 8

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

17-1-1, 8-0-1

SMU

12-7-1, 4-5-0

SMU

Memphis

Nov 08, 2019 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Mallin becomes AAC career assists leader

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – No. 8 Memphis women's soccer used first-half momentum coupled with a strong defensive stance down the stretch to claim a 4-2 win against SMU in the semifinal round of the American Athletic Conference Championship on Friday night at Park Avenue Campus.

Offensively, Memphis found four different goal scorers in Lisa Pechersky, Tanya Boychuk, Kimberley Smit and Clarissa Larisey. Senior Stasia Mallin added two assists to become The American's career assist leader with 29 career helpers.

In goal, junior keeper Elizabeth Moberg matched a season high in saves, stopping seven SMU shots on goal to secure her 16^th win of the season.

"We knew it was going to be a tough one from the very beginning. I'm proud of our kids for hanging on. There was a lot of emotion throughout that game," head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "Credit SMU, they kept fighting and made it extremely tough. We're proud to get the win and proud to be in another championship. This one is in the books. Now, how can we get better for Sunday?"

The Tigers struck quickly when Boychuk found Pechersky driving to the net. Pechersky finished the pass across the crease for her second goal in as many games just two minutes into the contest. Her score marked the 12^th time this season the Tigers have scored a goal within the first 10 minutes of a match.

"That goal was huge. We had chances to score more goals today but unfortunately didn't bury at least another one," Monaghan said of the early momentum. "Come Sunday, it's going to be a game of very few chances, so we'll need to finish those opportunities when we get them."

The Tigers added one more when Boychuk converted her third penalty kick of the year to push the lead to 2-0 at halftime.

SMU rallied to open the latter 45 minutes when Allie Thornton closed the gap just three minutes into the second half.

Memphis responded three minutes later, after Mallin drew a corner kick and Smit cleaned a loose ball into the back of the net.

The Mustangs closed the gap once more in the 67^th minute to add pressure. SMU fed off the momentum to post six more shots across the final 20 minutes. The Tigers silenced any attempt of an equalizer when Larisey drove the length of the field and connected on an empty-net goal to cap the scoring.

The Tigers' win secured them a spot in the AAC Championship final on Sunday, where the Tigers will face USF. Kickoff against the Bulls is slated for 1 p.m. from Park Avenue Campus and will be broadcast on ESPNU.

"They're going to be looking for revenge. They are a very good team," Monaghan said of USF. "We'll have to play with a lot of discipline and a lot of heart. We will need to put forth one of our best performances to give ourselves a chance to get the result."