Nakao Named to United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List

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.

University of Memphis Athletics

Nakao Named to United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List

Players Mentioned

Momo Nakao

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