University of Memphis Athletics
Thursday, September 14
Memphis, Tenn.
7 p.m.
University of Memphis
vs
North Texas
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
No. 14 Tigers Open AAC Play Against North Texas Thursday Night, Host UT-Martin on Sunday
Sep 13, 2023 | Women's Soccer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tiger women's soccer team has a big week ahead of them, opening American Athletic Conference play against North Texas on Thursday evening before taking on UT-Martin on Sunday night.
Memphis (5-1) is coming off a 1-0 win at Kansas State that saw Momo Nakao net the game-winning goal in the 65' of play.
"We did a lot of really good things and created a lot of great chances against Kansas State," said head women's soccer coach Brooks Monaghan. "I feel like we should've put the game away a lot earlier in the match but we lacked in finishing our chances – which is something we've spent time on this week and have made progress with."
The Tigers, who came in at #13 in the TopDrawerSoccer Poll and #14 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll this week, come into a competitive AAC schedule after four wins against Power 5 schools over the past three weeks while currently sitting in second place in the West Division of the AAC.
"I think if you would've told me at the beginning of the season, we'd be going into conference play 5-1, I'd say, 'I'll take it.' I'm very happy with the team's non-conference play and progression and we haven't peaked by any means – we still have many areas to grow in. But I believe our schedule up until this point has prepared us for conference play," said Monaghan.
Coming into Thursday's game, Memphis currently ranks at the top of the conference in goals-against average (0.667), save percentage (0.846) and scoring offense (3.17).
North Texas (6-1) comes into Thursday's contest at the top of the West Division in the AAC after picking up a 4-0 decision against UTRGV where all four Mean Green goals came in the first half while UNT's defense held UTRGV to just one shot the entire match.
The Tigers and Mean Green have met just once in previous years; Memphis would come away with a 1-0 win back in 2019 after a goal from Kimberley Smit in the 8'.
"North Texas is a tough opponent who were consistent challengers with many C-USA Championships won so we're going to have to be on our A-game to give ourselves a chance to win," said Monaghan.
UT Martin (2-4-1) has had a rough start to September after dropping matches to Murray State and Northern Iowa while taking a 1-1 draw with Indiana State. The Skyhawks, who are led by new coach Mike Varga, have picked up wins over Austin Peay and Western Carolina this season.
For the season, Makayla Robinson has led the team with three of their seven goals while Poppy Bastock has 30 saves recorded in just over 537 minutes in goal.
Memphis and UT Martin are no stranger to one another, meeting 11 times in the past. The Tigers, who have won the last eight matchups, last saw the Skyhawks back in 2016 where they came away with the 5-0 win in Martin.
Thursday and Sunday's game will have coverage available on ESPN+. Both matches will kick-off from the Track & Soccer Complex at 7 p.m.
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.
Memphis (5-1) is coming off a 1-0 win at Kansas State that saw Momo Nakao net the game-winning goal in the 65' of play.
"We did a lot of really good things and created a lot of great chances against Kansas State," said head women's soccer coach Brooks Monaghan. "I feel like we should've put the game away a lot earlier in the match but we lacked in finishing our chances – which is something we've spent time on this week and have made progress with."
The Tigers, who came in at #13 in the TopDrawerSoccer Poll and #14 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll this week, come into a competitive AAC schedule after four wins against Power 5 schools over the past three weeks while currently sitting in second place in the West Division of the AAC.
"I think if you would've told me at the beginning of the season, we'd be going into conference play 5-1, I'd say, 'I'll take it.' I'm very happy with the team's non-conference play and progression and we haven't peaked by any means – we still have many areas to grow in. But I believe our schedule up until this point has prepared us for conference play," said Monaghan.
Coming into Thursday's game, Memphis currently ranks at the top of the conference in goals-against average (0.667), save percentage (0.846) and scoring offense (3.17).
North Texas (6-1) comes into Thursday's contest at the top of the West Division in the AAC after picking up a 4-0 decision against UTRGV where all four Mean Green goals came in the first half while UNT's defense held UTRGV to just one shot the entire match.
The Tigers and Mean Green have met just once in previous years; Memphis would come away with a 1-0 win back in 2019 after a goal from Kimberley Smit in the 8'.
"North Texas is a tough opponent who were consistent challengers with many C-USA Championships won so we're going to have to be on our A-game to give ourselves a chance to win," said Monaghan.
UT Martin (2-4-1) has had a rough start to September after dropping matches to Murray State and Northern Iowa while taking a 1-1 draw with Indiana State. The Skyhawks, who are led by new coach Mike Varga, have picked up wins over Austin Peay and Western Carolina this season.
For the season, Makayla Robinson has led the team with three of their seven goals while Poppy Bastock has 30 saves recorded in just over 537 minutes in goal.
Memphis and UT Martin are no stranger to one another, meeting 11 times in the past. The Tigers, who have won the last eight matchups, last saw the Skyhawks back in 2016 where they came away with the 5-0 win in Martin.
Thursday and Sunday's game will have coverage available on ESPN+. Both matches will kick-off from the Track & Soccer Complex at 7 p.m.
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.
Players Mentioned
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