Tigers Open 2023 Season Against Southern, Ole Miss

Thursday, August 17

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

Southern

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Aug 16, 2023 | Women's Soccer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tiger women's soccer team will open their 2023 season at home when they play host to Southern University and Ole Miss this Thursday and Sunday, respectively.

Memphis, who is starting the season ranked No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, is coming off their most successful season in history where they claimed their second straight American Athletic Conference Championship and played their way to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

After blanking SMU in the AAC Championship match, the Tigers would go on to shutout then 10^th ranked Saint Louis and Mississippi State before taking 9^th ranked Arkansas to penalty kicks in the Sweet 16.

The Tigers return their top-four goal scorers from last season in Mya Jones, Jocelyn Alonzo, Saorla Miller and Momo Nakao while backline veterans Grace Stordy and Haylee Spray return for their senior seasons. Other notable returners include Claire Wyville, Lilly Huber, Zoe May and Izzy Monck.

Southern, who finished the 2022 season 9-9-2 overall and 5-3-1 in SWAC play, was picked to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Lady Jaguars, who had a historic 2022 season where they set the record for most wins in a single season and finished above .500 for the first time in program history.

Thursday's match will be the first meeting between the Tigers and Lady Jaguars.

"With this being the first game of the season, we don't know much about Southern. We know that they were one of the more competitive programs in their league last season," said head women's soccer coach Brooks Monaghan. "We've had a good preseason and we know that we still have some work ahead of us, but we feel that the team is in a good place to start the season."

The Tigers will round out their opening weekend with a familiar foe in Ole Miss.

The Runnin' Rebels, who finished 9-7-4 overall and 3-6-1 in SEC play last season would fall in the SEC Quarterfinals following a 3-0 loss to then 14^th ranked South Carolina. Sunday's match-up will be the 26^th overall meeting between the two programs.

"It's always an intense and competitive game when we play Ole Miss," said Monaghan. "It's a great rivalry that the team looks forward to every year and will be a great test for us this early in the season."

Both matches are scheduled to kick-off at 7 p.m. with coverage available on ESPN+.

Thursday's match will serve as the team's Senior Night where they will honor Lorelei Logan, Haylee Spray, Grace Stordy, Saorla Miller and Mya Jones prior to kickoff.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.