Lady Tigers Win Big Against Kennesaw State

Sunday, September 14

Kennesaw, Ga.

4:00 PM

University of Memphis

3-2-2

Kennesaw State

2-5-1

Memphis

Kennesaw State

Sep 14, 2014 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 14, 2014

Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Lady Tigers jumped ahead early and never looked back as they defeated Kennesaw State 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Memphis moved to 3-2-2 with its second win in a row, while the Owls dropped to 2-5-1.

"It was nice to get the first goal today instead of having to fight back," coach Brooks Monaghan said. "It makes a big difference when you get that first one. Overall it was just a very good team win. We were able to play just about everybody, which is always nice. It was great that when we put every substitution in, the level didn't drop."

Sophomore forward Valerie Sanderson got the Lady Tigers on the board only nine minutes into the game when she picked off a Kennesaw State back pass and placed it in the bottom right corner.

Five minutes later Sanderson would score her second as she picked up the rebound off of a Nugene Nugent shot and scored. That gave Sanderson her second brace of the season and fifth goal overall.

The Lady Tigers wouldn't score again in the half, but it wasn't for lack of trying. At the half, Memphis had nine shots, seven of which were on target.

Defensively, the U of M did not allow Kennesaw State anything. Maryse Bard-Martel rarely touched the ball, having to make no saves.

The second half started with Kennesaw State giving up a penalty, but Valerie Sanderson was unable to complete the hat trick, as her shot was saved, as was the follow up.

The Lady Tigers continued to pepper the Owl's goal with shots and corners, while allowing nothing on the other end.

In the 71st minute, Powder Springs, Ga. Native Necee Jennings, playing in front of friends and family, dribbled into the box and found Sessen Stevens to make it 3-0.

That goal is Stevens' first as a Lady Tiger.

The Lady Tigers would add one more goal in the 84th minute, when freshman Alyxandria Stafford got on the end of Elysia Masters' pass from the right flank and deposited it into the net for her first career goal.

"It's great for these young kids to get that first collegiate goal," Monaghan said. "You hope that it gives them some confidence moving forward. It's funny; I was talking with Sessen the other day about how she just needs to get that first one and then more will come. They're here for a reason, they can play at this level and hopefully they build off of it."

The Lady Tigers would finish with a 22-6 advantage in shots, and an outstanding 15-2 advantage in shots on goal. Bard-Martel had to make only two saves, while the Lady Tigers forced 11 out of the Owls.

Next weekend, Memphis travels to Stillwater, Okla. for the Stillwater Holiday Inn & Suites OSU Invitational. The Lady Tigers will face hosts Oklahoma State at Friday at 7:30 p.m. and then No. 7 Texas Tech on Sunday afternoon at one.