After picking up a 1-0 victory over USF on Saturday, Memphis women’s soccer extended their win streak to three games with a 2-1 home victory over the Charlotte 49ers. They also extended the longest home win streak in the country to a staggering 17 games and remain undefeated in AAC play.
First half:
Charlotte played a very aggressive style of defense, pressing well past the midfield line to keep pressure on the Tigers. It almost backfired when Memphis’ Anne-Valerie Seto attempted the first shot of the game in the 8th minute that sailed over the goal.
Memphis generated early momentum as their first scoring opportunities came from an Ai Kitagawa corner in the 11th, that was followed quickly by a shot from Finely Lavin that went over the net.
The Tigers continued to stay on their offensive side of the field for a very long time but could not generate many great looks to score. Their next opportunity came from a great pass by Maddie Eskin to set up Memphis forward Kate Howes in the 24th minute that was not to be.
In response to this, Charlotte stormed downfield and earned a 25th minute corner that was converted into a goal by the 49ers’ Tuva Hodne.
Looking to equalize before half, the Tigers turned up the aggression on offense getting a few great opportunities, highlighted by a breakaway shot in the 34th by Howes, a 36th minute corner that led to a close header by Seto, and a 40th minute shot by Memphis’ Momo Nakao.
A foul in the 43rd minute led to a beautiful free kick by Memphis’ Kate Howes that would sneak into the top left corner to tie the game at 1-1 headed into halftime.
Second Half:
As the second half started, both teams tried to pick up the tempo, but Charlotte was first to get a chance to break the tie with a dangerous shot in the 48th minute, which was saved by Memphis keeper Kaylie Bierman.
Memphis followed up this defensive stand with a 52nd minute shot by Seto and Anna Hauer would take the 49ers’ keeper out of position, setting up Ai Kitagawa to sink one into a wide-open net to give the Tigers a 2-1 advantage.
Memphis then employed a very familiar strategy: the best defense is an even better offense. They broke Charlotte’s defensive press multiple times, leading to breakaway opportunities often, one of which led to a Kitagawa shot in the 58th minute that hit the crossbar and bounced over the goal.
Despite all the great looks, none of them found the back of the net, but the Tigers were able to drain precious time off the clock. Charlotte used the rare moments not in defensive chaos to attempt to rally, but Memphis completed their 2-1 victory.
What is next: Memphis will go for four wins in a row as they face Temple in Philadelphia next Thursday.
