Women's Soccer Wins AAC Opener

Wednesday, February 24

Memphis, Tenn.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

2-0-0, 1-0-0

Tulsa

0-1-0, 0-1-0

Tulsa

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Feb 24, 2021 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Larisey's two goals the difference in the 2-0 win over Tulsa Wednesday.

MEMPHIS –University of Memphis senior forward Clarissa Larisey netted the game's only two goals to lift the Tigers to a 2-0 victory over Tulsa in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams Wednesday. The match was played at the Memphis Soccer/Track and Field Stadium on the University's Park Avenue campus.

With the win, Memphis improves to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the AAC. It was the UofM's third straight year opening conference action with a victory. The Golden Hurricane fall to 0-1 overall and in the league.

The match between Memphis and Tulsa was delayed from Saturday, Feb. 21 due to winter weather conditions in the Mid-South.

Larisey's multi-goal game was the seventh of her career. Senior goalkeeper Elizabeth Moberg posted her 29^thcareer shutout in net.

"It's not easy to win in this league," said head coach Brooks Monaghan. "We were unfortunate not to finish some of the chances we had, but you have to create those chances. Overall, I'm taking a lot of positives from this game.

"We were a little concerned about that (the layoff due to weather). We gave the players workouts to do in their houses and dorms, but what we gave them is not like getting out on the field. It was a little bit of a concern, but fitness was not a problem for us tonight."

The Tigers came out the aggressor and held that position most of the first half. Memphis outshot the Golden Hurricane 18-1 and also held a 10-0 corner kick advantage in the opening 45 minutes.

It wasn't until their 15^thshot that the Tigers finally got on the board. In the match's 40^thminute, Larisey's attempt found the back of the net off a feed from fellow senior Samantha Murphy. The goal was the 32^ndof Larisey's career.

"I thought we started the game overall a bit slow," Monaghan said. "I told our team we made too many unforced errors tonight. We don't want to be good; we want to be great. If you're going to win this league, you're going to have to limit some of those mistakes."

In the second half, the UofM controlled most of the possession time, but Tulsa created some chances for scores. The Golden Hurricane earned four corner kicks, and their two shots were on goal.

The Tigers, though, put the game away in the 79^thminute when Larisey struck a second time in the match and the 33^rdtime of her career. Off a corner kick, the ball fell at Larisey's feet, and she stuck it in the back of the net for a 2-0 UofM advantage.

"We told our team before the game that you are the defending champion and you're picked to finish first this year," Monaghan said. "You're going to get everybody's best game. I knew how excited they (Tulsa) were going to be to play. I told our team we had to match their energy, and I believe we did a good job of doing that.

"Like I said, a win is a win. There are no bad wins. I thought we controlled most of the game tonight. This one is over, and we'll get ready for the next one."

The Tigers outshot Tulsa 25-9 and held a 13-4 corner kick advantage in the match. Moberg collected two saves, while Golden Hurricane keeper Emma Malsy recorded six saves.

For more information on the Memphis women's soccer team, follow the Tigers on Facebook (/MemphisWSoccer), Twitter (@MemphisWSoccer) and Instagram (@MemphisWSoccer).