Memphis Picks Up Pivotal Road Win over SMU

Thursday, October 20

Dallas, Texas

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

11-3-1, 5-1-0AAC

SMU

10-5-1, 4-2-1AAC

Memphis

SMU

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Oct 20, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

The Tigers beat SMU, 3-1, to move into second in the standings

DALLAS, Texas – In a pivotal American Athletic Conference match, Memphis withstood a late charge to beat SMU, 3-1, and move into second place in the league standings with three regular-season matches left. The Tigers (11-3-1, 5-1 AAC) will continue their Texas road trip, playing at Houston Sunday at 1 p.m.

"It's great. This team has bought in," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "It wasn't the prettiest of games, especially in the second half, we just kind of held on. We had to weather a bit of a storm, and that's a credit to SMU because they have are a very good team. We found a way to get it done and I was really proud of them. It was a total team effort tonight."

Memphis jumped out to a lightening-fast 2-0 lead on two goals by sophomore Elizabeth Woerner in the opening five minutes. Woerner scored 57 seconds into the match after Serena Dolan crossed the ball in and Valerie Sanderson helped it on.

Woerner doubled the lead in the fifth minute, this time on a low cross by Sanderson. The multiple-goal game for Woerner was the second of her career after she scored two goals in the 5-0 win over UT Martin earlier this season.

The next 40 minutes of the first half were evenly matched between the two teams and the Tigers would carry a 2-0 lead into halftime. Goalkeeper Maryse Bard-Martel wasn't called on to make a save during the first half.

The Mustangs flipped the script in the second half. Just as Memphis did in the first half, SMU came out firing and scored in the first minute of the second half to cut the Tigers' lead to 2-1.

SMU had the majority of the chances in the second half, ripping off six total shots on goal after halftime. The Memphis defense and Bard-Martel, who finished with five saves, were able to keep the Mustangs off the board for the remainder of the match.

Freshman Jessica Lisi put the game away with a goal in the final minute to make the lead 3-1. Lisi is second on the team with six goals and five assists this season.

With Sanderson's two assists, she has 116 career points and is now five points shy of the program record for career points scored.

Memphis will have the benefit of ending the regular season at home. The Tigers will celebrate Senior Night against USF on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. before welcoming UCF for the finale on Sunday, Oct. 30 at noon.