Current assistant third women's soccer alumnae to garner institutional honor
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis women's soccer alumnae and current assistant coach Lizzy Simonin became the newest member of the University of Memphis' M Club Hall of Fame this weekend.
Simonin was a part of a nine-inductee cohort which included five former UofM student-athletes and four award winners who have served the university's athletic department. Additionally, Simonin joins Christy Caswell (1995-98) and Jodi Fisher (1995-98) as the third Memphis women's soccer player inducted into the institution's Hall of Fame.
"I couldn't be prouder of Lizzy. I can't think of anyone who is more deserving of the honor of getting inducted into the Hall of Fame," head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "She was the ultimate student-athlete. She stood for what, in my eyes, a winner stands for in regard to the work she put to being the best teammate and buying in 110 percent." Simonin, center, and the current Memphis women's soccer team celebrate her induction into the M Club Hall of Fame during a men's basketball halftime ceremony at FedExForum.
A native of Lee's Summit, Mo., Simonin arrived at the University of Memphis in the fall of 2008 and made an immediate impact on women's soccer in Conference USA. She appeared in 22 consecutive matches during her inaugural season, 18 as a starter, and led the team in points, goals and shots. She led the Tiger women's squad to an NCAA bid was individually selected the Conference USA Freshman of the Year and was named to the C-USA All-Conference second team.
Hampered by an ankle injury in 2009, Simonin appeared in just 16 of the team's 22 matches but still managed to tally 12 points and help her teammates return to the NCAA postseason. With her aggressive style of play, Simonin moved to defender in 2010 and started every match, which included shutouts in 11 of the Tigers' 22 contests. For her outstanding play in 2010, she was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and led her squad to their third consecutive NCAA appearance.
Entering her senior season, Simonin continued to excel. She started all 24 contests and helped her team to a 22-1-1 record and a fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth. An outstanding student-athlete, Simonin was named the 2011 recipient of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which is given annually to the most-outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I women's soccer. She also became the first player in C-USA history to be named the Defensive Player of the Year twice.
Following graduation, Simonin returned to the Kansas City area to pursue her master's degree. She served as a graduate assistant coach at UMKC before returning to Memphis to coach on Monaghan's staff in 2014. Now on the sidelines, Simonin has helped the Tigers to a 76-32-12 mark in the last six seasons. Since 2016, the Tigers have made three NCAA Tournament appearances and claimed a pair of conference titles in 2018 and 2019.
"As a player, Lizzy is somebody that I still refer to from back in her playing days to our current team and will continue to do that throughout my career," Monaghan added. "I'm blessed today that's she able to work with our players and instill a little part of her into each and every one of them. I believe that makes us better."
