University of Memphis Athletics
Nakao Named to United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List
Aug 09, 2024 | Women's Soccer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Memphis midfielder Momo Nakao was named to the United Coaches Soccer 2024 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Midfielders to Watch list on Friday.
Nakao is heading into her senior season with 60 starts for the Tigers already under her belt. She was named AAC Midfielder of the Year in 2023.
"A well-deserved honor for Momo," said head coach Brooks Monaghan. "She has been a key player for us over the last three seasons, and I believe she is among the best midfielders in the country."
The 2023 season, which also saw Nakao named to the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region First Team, included five goals and six assists from the midfielder as the Tigers won 20 games en route to their second consecutive NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
The Inzai City, Chiba, Japan, native played in all 270 minutes of the Tigers' run to a third straight AAC tournament championship, notching an assist in the semi-final and earning a spot on the All-Tournament team.
Nakao and the No. 10 Tigers will be in action Saturday, August 10, at 6 p.m. CT at Auburn in their final preseason game before hosting Alabama A&M in the season opener on Thursday, August 15, at 7 p.m. CT.
2024 United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch – Midfielders
Listed alphabetically
Deborah Abiodun, University of Pittsburgh
Jasmine Aikey, Stanford University
Simi Awujo, University of Southern California
Colby Barnett, Santa Clara University
Hannah Bebar, Duke University
Meg Boade, UCLA
Sam Courtwright, Texas Tech University
Teresa Deda, Bucknell University
Baylee DeSmit, Loyola University Maryland
Justina Gaynor, Michigan State University
Josefine Hasbo, Harvard University
Macey Hodge, Mississippi State University
Taylor Huff, Florida State University
Kristina Kelly, University of Maine
Katie Krohn, University of Minnesota
Sally Menti, Santa Clara University
Lexi Missimo, University of Texas
Avery Murdzek, South Dakota State University
Vanessa Murray, University of Denver
Momo Nakao, University of Memphis
Leah Pirro, Texas A&M University
Bella Recinos, University of Massachusetts
Helna Sampaio, University of Southern California
Sarah Schupansky, University of Pittsburgh
Regan Zimmers, University of Nebraska-Omaha
Erika Zschuppe, Florida Gulf Coast University
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.
