The Memphis Tigers Women’s Soccer Team defeated the SMU Mustangs in the AAC Championship Final 1-0. The championship win marks the Tigers’ third conference championship in five years.
The Tigers clinch an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament, which marks their fifth consecutive tournament appearance.
The Tigers pulled away with the win in a game that went into overtime, which is not strange for the Tigers.
In the three tournament games the Tigers played, all have gone into overtime and ended in a Memphis win. The Tigers fought their way through the tournament, defeating the fifth seed and first seed of the conference.
The Tigers were very aggressive throughout the entire game, controlling the shots advantage 17 to 7.
After 90 scoreless minutes, the scoreboard opened when midfielder Shae Taylor scored off a pass from Momo Nakao in the 99th minute. The goal was Taylor’s first goal of the season and the most crucial goal of the season for the Tigers.
From that point, the Memphis defense would continue to prevent SMU from scoring, as Claire Wyville would make a great diving save in the 106th minute. The save was one of the two saves Wyville made all game.
After the game, the Tigers were presented with the trophy in the postgame ceremony. Shae Taylor was awarded AAC Most Outstanding Offensive Player, and Claire Wyville was awarded AAC Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Five Tigers were named to the AAC All-Tournament Team: Lilly Huber, Haylee Spray, Grace Stordy, Shae Taylor, and Claire Wyville.
The Tigers will now look forward to their first NCAA Tournament game versus #2 ranked Saint Louis.
The Tigers will travel to St. Louis to play at 1 p.m. CT this Saturday. The game will be televised on either ESPNU or ESPN+.
