The women’s soccer team extended their win streak to eight in a row, putting them at 10-1 overall and 2-0 in American Athletic Conference play. They beat both Cincinnati and East Carolina 5-0 and 2-1, respectively. They also recently ranked No. 20 in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
The Tigers started off with a strong start against Cincinnati last Thursday, scoring in just three minutes, with sophomore forward Samantha Murphy capitalizing after the ball ping-ponged off players in the box. Murphy then earned a brace after an assist by sophomore forward Clarissa Larisey in the 22nd minute.
At the time, Murphy had seven goals on the season, and she had one word to explain her reason for scoring.
“Confidence,” Murphy said. “I’d say every time I put one in the net, it builds up my confidence to go get that next one.”
Freshman midfielder Claire Abrey, redshirt sophomore forward Lisa Pechersky and freshman forward Tanya Boychuck all scored their first goals of the season, adding to the five-goal win.
Sophomore goalkeeper Elizabeth Moberg earned her ninth clean sheet of the season with four saves during the match. Two of those saves came within seconds of each other when Moberg blocked shots from Cincinnati forwards within 10 yards.
“It’s a lot of adrenaline when you go in and see that first save, and you see that player run,” Moberg said. “Then you immediately have to get up and keep going.”
After less than three days to rest, the Tigers stayed home to face ECU last Sunday. Memphis started the game strong as they have in their previous games, but ECU held their own and did not allow Memphis to get an early goal.
ECU struck first with a goal that slid right past Moberg in the bottom right of the net right before halftime. That was the first goal Memphis allowed since their only loss against Mississippi State.
“At halftime, we talked to the girls; we didn’t panic,” head coach Brooks Monaghan said about being down at the half.
Referees were key in this game after they made questionable calls, and when Memphis earned a penalty kick from an ECU handball in the second half that leveled the score, ECU head coach Jason Hamilton was ejected after using vulgar language. Monaghan did notice missed calls, but he said the referees don’t control the destiny of the game.
“I don’t want to sit here and harp on the referees,” Monaghan said. “They usually do a good job, and I don’t think they had anything to do with the outcome of the game.”
Junior midfielder Jessica Lisi scored the penalty to make it her fourth of the season, and when the game went into overtime, Murphy scored the game-winner on an assist from Larisey just three minutes into extra time. This was Murphy’s eighth goal, making her the team leader in goals.
“Lari (Larisey) set me up with a perfect ball, and I was just in the right spot at the right time,” Murphy said.
Murphy won AAC Offensive Player of the Week, Moberg won AAC Goalkeeper of the Week and junior defender Stasia Mallin won AAC Defensive Player of the Week.
The Tigers have a small break before they go on the road to face Houston on Oct. 4 to continue conference play.
Elizabeth Woerner wins a header over an ECU defender. The Tigers came back to win 2-1 after trailing to be 2-0 in AAC play.
#10 Jessica Lisi pressuring an ECU defender to win ball back. Lisi scored on a penalty kick to put Memphis back in the game after allowing a goal before halftime.
