Despite seeing the inside of six different airplanes, a rain out, and losing first and second string goalies, The University of Memphis women's soccer team (8-5 overall, 2-1 in Conference USA) escaped Sunday with a 2-1 victory at Marshall (1-11, 0-4).
"I thought we played alright," said Brooks Monaghan, U of M head coach. "We did well in the situation we were in."
The Tigers starting goalkeeper, Isabel Briones was suspended for one game for violating team rules. Back-up goalkeeper Caroline Allen was also suspended for failing a fitness test, leaving the Tigers searching for a new keeper all week.
"This is the first and hopefully the last time this will happen," Monaghan said. "We had about 11 or 12 kids volunteer. I felt like we had our own reality show when we got it down to two."
In the end, Tiger freshman Joanna Alexopulos was selected to feel the void and goal for last weekend's Conference USA play.
"(Alexopulos) was fantastic," Monaghan said. "It doesn't happen too often that we have to make these discipline acts and still win."
Although Alexopulos has never played goalkeeper her entire soccer career, she held Marshall to one goal coming from a penalty kick at the 33-minute mark.
"I was really nervous," Alexopulos said. "I really don't know how I did it, but I got the saves."
Alexopulos performance at goal helped the Tigers overcome sluggish offensive play and ultimately win the game, said Kate Murphy, freshman midfielder.
"Joanna really came through and had a couple of really big saves that could have cost us the game," she said.
The rainout of the Tigers game against East Carolina contributed to The U of M's slow offensive attack Sunday, according to Monaghan.
"It was a tough weekend," he said. "By the time we got home we had six different flights. Missing Friday's game really hurt us. Anytime you get a win on the road though, its great."
The Tigers will hope to build on Sunday's win when they take on last year's Conference USA champions UAB (7-5-1).
"We get a chance to play Conference USA champions Friday," Monaghan said. "I feel confident, but it's going to be a tough game."
The U of M and UAB split the last season's two meetings, building on what has become a big rivalry between the two teams.
"The returning players know how big (Friday's) game is," said junior midfielder Nicky McLeod. "We definitely have the talent and determination to win."
The Tigers will host UAB Friday at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex at 7:00 p.m.
