No. 7 Tigers Beat Illinois, 2-1, to Advance to NCAA Second Round

Saturday, November 15

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 p.m.

University of Memphis

17-0-3, 9-0-1

Illinois

13-6-2, 5-4-2

Illinois

Memphis

No. 7 Tigers Beat Illinois, 2-1, to Advance to NCAA Second Round

Nov 15, 2025 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Two first-half goals from Ai Kitagawa lifted the seventh-seeded Memphis soccer team to a 2-1 victory against Illinois on Saturday night.

It was a packed house at the Track and Soccer Stadium, with 1,801 fans supporting the Tigers for the final time at home this season. The win marks the 39th consecutive home match without a loss for Memphis (17-0-3, 9-0-1 American), dating back to 2021 and spanning four complete seasons.

"I'm extremely proud of this team and how we played. We had a great week of practice, but with a super young team you just don't know exactly what you're going to get in a game like this," said head coach Brooks Monaghan. "The effort these girls gave for 90 minutes was superb, and I want to thank everyone who came out and made it a great atmosphere. Illinois is a great team. They are in the tournament for a reason, so to put in that shift and come away with a win was great to see."

Kitagawa opened the scoring in the 12th minute; after Illinois (13-6-2, 5-3-2 Big Ten) leveled it in the 27th minute, it was the Japan native again who re-captured the advantage via penalty kick with 23 seconds remaining in the half.

Memphis was undeniably the more deserving team after the 90 minutes, outshooting the Fighting Illini, 17-6, and winning 11 corner kicks to the visitors' four.

After a nervy start to a high-stakes game, the Tigers settled in and found the first goal after a quickly taken throw-in got Kitagawa into space. The sophomore fired a rocket from her left foot into the top corner; Ashley Henderson and Elise Perron were credited with the assist.

Illinois' second shot of the game came from talisman Cayla Jackson and tested goalkeeper Abby Kudla, who made a stop but could not save the follow-up effort from Sydney Stephens who tied things at one.

Kitagawa came close again in the 36th minute, capping a team move with a forceful shot off the top of the crossbar and out of play. The Tigers earned a pair of corners in the final minute of the half, and Illinois was called for a handball with 23 seconds left in the frame. Kitagawa stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way for her 10th goal this year.

Memphis stayed in control of the game as it neared its end; Kudla was forced into just one save and three overall.

The Tigers will enter the NCAA Second Round for the fifth time ever (2011, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025). They are set to visit TCU on Thursday, November 20, at 7 p.m. in Fort Worth, Texas.

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.