University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
USF
No. 14 Tigers to face No. 21 USF with AAC lead at stake
Apr 01, 2021 | Women's Soccer
The Memphis women's soccer team travels to USF this Saturday for a matchup of American Athletic Conference leaders. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.Â
The Tigers (7-1, 5-0 AAC) moved up three spots to No. 14 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 after defeating then-No. 6 Vanderbilt 3-2 in overtime on Sunday. The Bulls (6-0-1, 5-0) are No. 21 and coming off a 3-1 victory over Houston on Sunday.Â
Memphis and USF are tied at the top of the AAC standings with 15 points, six points clear of third-place Cincinnati. If either team wins Saturday, that team will host the AAC Tournament and clinch at least a share of the regular-season conference title. In the event of a draw, the tournament host will be determined the following weekend pending the outcome of the final regular-season games.
The match will mark the third consecutive time the Tigers and Bulls have met while both ranked in the Top 25. During the 2019 regular season, Memphis was No. 11 when it defeated No. 16 USF 2-1. The Bulls were No. 23 when they defeated the No. 8 Tigers 2-0 in the AAC Tournament championship later that season. Memphis beat USF 3-0 in the 2018 AAC Tournament final.Â
The Tigers' victory over Vanderbilt on Sunday marked the program's second-ever win over a Top 10 opponent. Memphis also defeated then-No. 6 UCF in 2012.Â
Junior midfielder Tanya Boychuk was named AAC Offensive Player of the Week after scoring two goals against the Commodores. She scored the opening goal of the game in the 66th minute and added a golden goal to clinch the victory in the 96th minute. Freshman midfielder Haylee Spray, who scored Memphis' second goal of the game, was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll.Â
