A little November madness is in store this year for both The University of Memphis men's and women's soccer programs as each team prepares this week for The Conference USA tournament.
The defending C-USA champions men's program (7-7-2 overall, 3-4-2 in C-USA) will battle to defend last season's title as a likely sixth seed.
"We are really confident heading into the tournament," said head coach Richie Grant. "I think we have more incentive this season to win because of all the close games we have lost and tied this season."
The U of M men's team clinched their tournament birth Sunday with a 3-0 shutout against UCF.
While one of coach Grant's main goals early in the season was to clinch a top four seeding in the tournament and earn a first-round home game, last week's game postponements due to Hurricane Wilma have changed this year's tournament layout.
The regular season's top four C-USA schools traditionally host their individual first-round game this week.
This season, however, C-USA coaches voted to extend the regular season a week to allow four make-up games to be played and to move the entire C-USA men's tournament to SMU's Wescott Field outside Dallas.
"All the coaches made the right decision that is fair to all the schools," Grant said. "You do have to say that it is an advantage for the lower seeds."
The U of M men's team will most likely take on either UAB or Florida International on a neutral field next week depending on the outcome of this week's game.
A win by Florida International this week over winless East Carolina or South Carolina will place the men's team as the sixth seed.
"I don't think we have ever had this much time to prepare," Grant said. "There is unbelievable parity in this league, and there is really no team I want to play or avoid."
The U of M men's team will look for a little revenge against either UAB or Florida International, as they lost to both schools in the regular season by one goal.
"I feel really good about the tournament because we are one of the fittest teams in the nation," said senior goalkeeper Tyler Strom. "We lost to both schools in the season so it would be really nice to get a little revenge."
While the men are looking to defend their conference title, The U of M women's team is riding high on one of the most successful seasons in the program's history.
This year women's squad (12-6, 6-3) has set the all-time school record for team wins and for the highest ever seeding in C-USA as the number five seed.
"Our philosophy from the beginning of the season was to be patient because we are a young team and get into the conference tournament," said women's head coach Brooks Monaghan. "Now we will not be happy unless we get to the championship game."
The U of M's women's team will look to avenge an early season 3-2 loss to UTEP ( 17-2-1, 6-2-1) when they face the fourth seeded Miners on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in Houston.
"We know we can still do better, and we felt we could have beat UTEP," said sophomore goalkeeper Isabel Briones. "This season would be a disappointment to lose in the first round."
If The U of M's women's team is able to escape Wednesday with a victory, they will face the winner of UCF and Houston in the second round.
"We are very excited because we believe we can get win and that was our goal all year," Monaghan said.
