March 16, 2011

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The four-time defending Conference USA champions take to the pitch again on Thursday night in their lone home match of the spring schedule. The University of Memphis women's soccer squad welcomes regional foe Arkansas State to Mike Rose Soccer Complex for a 7 p.m. kick-off.

"We hope to build off of our first weekend with this game," said head coach Brooks Monaghan. "I was very pleased with our performance in the first weekend and this is a chance to build off of that. Obviously, we are coming off spring break, but we hope to continue making the right strides and keep moving in the right direction this spring."

Memphis opened the spring schedule with a 2-1 victory over Oklahoma at Burns Park in North Little Rock, Ark. Rasheeda Ansari scored both goals for the Lady Tigers. In game two of the day, the U of M tied Oklahoma State, 1-1. Lizzy Simonin converted a penalty kick in the second half to knot the game.

Arkansas State plays its second official spring match of the spring slate when they visit the Bluff City. The Red Wolves earned a 1-1 draw with Mississippi State. ASU hosted an Alumni game last weekend.

Following Thursday's match, the Lady Tigers hit the road for three remaining spring contests against Alabama, Missouri and Ole Miss.