Aug. 10, 2009

Memphis -

The back-to-back Conference-USA champion University of Memphis women's soccer team will open the 2009 campaign Saturday at Echles Field in an exhibition match against Samford at 1 pm.

The Lady Tigers will face a talented Samford squad of 11 returning starters. Samford finished the 2008 season with a 9-9-3 record and an 8-1-2 third place finish in Southern Conference play.

Memphis is looking to become the first C-USA school to win three-consecutive conference championships. The 2009 season will be the 10th season for Head Coach Brooks Monaghan, who is six wins away from 100 career wins.

The Lady Tigers will open regular season play on August 21 against LSU in Baton Rouge, La, before returning to Memphis for a home contest against Arkansas-Little Rock at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.