Kitagawa's Brace Lifts No. 8 Tigers over Florida Atlantic, 2-1

Sunday, October 12

Memphis, Tenn.

6:00 p.m.

University of Memphis

12-0-2, 6-0-1

Florida Atlantic

4-8-3, 1-3-2

Fla. Atlantic

Memphis

Kitagawa's Brace Lifts No. 8 Tigers over Florida Atlantic, 2-1

Oct 12, 2025 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis midfielder Ai Kitagawa scored twice in the second half on Sunday night, including an 89th-minute strike to secure a 2-1 victory over Florida Atlantic.

The No. 8 Tigers (12-0-2, 6-0-1 American) picked up a fifth consecutive victory and became the first American Conference team to clinch a spot in the conference tournament, which begins November 3 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

"Tonight should teach us some big lessons that you can't just throw the Memphis jersey on and expect to win," said head coach Brooks Monaghan. "Florida Atlantic is a lot better than their record, and like most nights we got their absolute best. The halftime message was calm because the girls knew they needed to be better and they were."

Kitagawa's brace was the second of her career (at Ole Miss, 2024) and gives her eight goals on the season, tied for second most in the conference. Memphis is now one of two teams still unbeaten in 2025 (Notre Dame).

For a game full of dramatics, the first half came and went without much pressure from either side. The Tigers won five corner kicks but only put one shot on frame as they struggled to connect on the final pass.

It didn't take long at all for that to change in the second half, as Kitagawa opened the scoring less than two minutes after the period began. Flavie Dubé rolled a pass across the penalty area, and Japan native snuck in with a clever run and finished with her left foot, with Elise Perron also earning an assist on the play.

The Owls (4-8-3, 1-3-2 American) took just three shots all game, but their one on target was enough to equalize in the 69th minute through Madison Micioni, who rose highest to head home a corner kick and tie the game at one.

Memphis would push for the next quarter-hour, but after Kitagawa's long-distance effort was tipped over the bar and Dubé's shot rattled the crossbar in the 81st minute, it seemed that all three points may escape the Tigers' grasp. Their insistence finally paid off with 80 seconds to play, when Perron found Kitagawa at the far post with a searching cross. The first shot was cleared off the line, but it could only find its way back to the right foot of the sophomore, who sent it through the keeper's legs for the climactic moment.

The Tigers will take Thursday off before heading to Greenville, North Carolina, for a Sunday morning rematch of the conference tournament final with East Carolina, slated for 11:00 a.m. CT on October 19.

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.