Aug. 28, 2010

Box Score Box Score 

Boxscore

By: Preston McClellan, Student Assistant

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--Senior midfielder Vendula Strnadova’s first-half goal was enough to lead Memphis past 18th-ranked LSU 1-0 Saturday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

In a hard-fought, physical battle of the Tigers that saw 19 total fouls, Memphis used effective defense coupled with a consistently aggressive attack to contain LSU.

Memphis got on board first in the 17th minute after a rocket from Vendula Strnadova from the top left of the box ricocheted off LSU goalkeeper Mo Isom and into the back of the net.

The goal vaulted Strnadova into sole possession of fifth place on the U of M's career goals list with 20. Strnadova also now has 190 shots, just six shy of tying the all-time record of 196 held by Kylie Hayes (2005-08).

LSU came closest to tying things up in the 36th minute half when #7 Tricia Johnson nearly headed the ball in after a free kick. Memphis, however, saved it and preserved its 1-0 advantage going into the half.

Memphis outperformed LSU in nearly every statistical category in the first half, taking nine shots compared to LSU's three. Memphis also took three corners in the first half while LSU managed only two.

Both teams came out pressing in the second half as the game's intensity picked up. LSU controlled the pace for most of the half, but the Memphis defense was able to keep the attack at bay and rebuke a furious late push by LSU.

Lizzy Hildrebrandt led Memphis with four shots (three on goal).

Memphis earned its first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating UCF 3-0 in the finals of the C-USA tournament.

This is the first time Memphis has started a season 3-0. The U of M improves to 48-4-2 when holding its opponents to one or fewer goals since the 2007 season.

The Tigers are also now only three victories away from 150 program wins. With a record of 147-141-15, the Lady Tigers are over .500 for the first time in program history.

This is the second straight shutout by Memphis this season. Last season, the Lady Tigers posted 12 shutouts in 23 matches as goalkeeper Kuhar-Pitters posted a single-season record of 11 shutouts in 2009.

Kuhar-Pitters made two saves to earn her season’s first victory, and the 25th of her career. The blank slate was the 16th of her career.

The match was played before a women’s soccer-record crowd of 1,223 fans, eclipsing the former record of 1,203 against Rhodes in 1996.

Memphis next plays Sept. 3rd when they take on Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. Memphis will then play Arkansas-Little Rock on Sept. 5 in North Little Rock, Ark. before returning to the Bluff City.