Memphis Women’s Soccer Team Advances to AAC Semifinal with Comeback Win
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – In an exhilarating display of determination, the University of Memphis women’s soccer team rallied from behind to secure a 4-2 victory over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the AAC quarterfinals on Monday evening. The No. 19 Tigers, boasting an impressive record of 12-1-4 overall and 6-0-4 in the conference, now advance to the final four of the American Athletic Conference championship.
Match Overview
The match kicked off at 6:00 p.m. CT, with Memphis initially taking control of the game. It was Anna Hauer’s early goal in the 21st minute that put Memphis ahead. However, Tulsa, the eighth-seeded team in the tournament, surprised the favored Tigers with two consecutive goals in the second half, taking a brief lead before Memphis stormed back.
Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan praised his team’s resilience after the game, highlighting the importance of their response to adversity. “At halftime, I think the mentality was pretty good. We came out and conceded a goal, and you’re nervous about what the response is going to be because that’s not something we are used to doing this year,” he said. “I was really proud of how we responded because not only did we score enough to win but we could have scored two or three more.”
Game Highlights
The Tigers opened the match with an opportunity from Ashley Henderson in the third minute, but her free kick was saved by Tulsa’s goalkeeper Tatum Sanders. Memphis continued to press, and they broke through in the 21st minute. Elise Perron played a clever pass to Anna Hauer, who executed a well-timed run before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.
Despite Memphis’s strong start, Tulsa equalized in the 35th minute when Kaleigh Hart scored with a powerful shot from distance. The Golden Hurricane struck again just after halftime, with Leah Diaz delivering another long-range effort that put them in the lead 2-1.
Memphis’ Comeback
Facing the threat of elimination, Memphis quickly turned the tide. Perron regained momentum for the Tigers, scoring an opportunistic goal after a rebound in the 49th minute. The Tigers then took the lead in the 57th minute when a header from Ashley Henderson found the net, courtesy of Ai Kitagawa’s precise cross. Just seven minutes later, Momo Nakao added to the tally with a well-placed shot from distance, sealing a remarkable turnaround.
As the match approached its final stages, Memphis had several more opportunities to extend their lead. However, the performance in the decisive middle segment, where they scored three times in just 17 minutes, proved to be the turning point in the match.
Next Steps
With this victory, Memphis moves on to face fourth-seeded Rice University in the semifinals, scheduled for Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. CT, with the match available on ESPN+. The Tigers are poised to continue their strong season, aiming for a place in the conference final and beyond.
How to Follow
For more updates on Memphis Tigers Soccer, fans are encouraged to visit the official website and follow the team’s social media channels.
