Aug. 23, 2001

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. - The 2001 Memphis women's soccer team helped Shelby County officials unveil the brand-new Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Collierville on Thursday afternoon.

The Lady Tigers, who play four of this season's home games at the state-of-the-art facility, signed autographs, posed for pictures and welcomed guests at the reception desk. Memphis goalkeeper Kari Rawe tended net as Shelby County Mayor Jim Rout booted the complex's honorary first goal.

The Memphis soccer program - both men's and women's - will play a combined 16 games at Mike Rose Stadium, an agreement reached Monday by Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson and complex director John Talley.

"We're very excited about the future of U of M soccer and [the Mike Rose Soccer Complex] is going to play a huge part in our program's development." Johnson said. "We're proud to put our teams on this field."

Lady Tiger coach Brooks Monaghan feels that moving into the complex will help his program immediatley. "This gives us a chance to showcase our team in front of a whole new fan base," said Monaghan. "There is a ton of talent in some of the local high schools and hopefully we can get some of the local fans out to see us.

"[The complex] also gives us an opportunity to compete for recruits," Monaghan added. "To have a place like this, we can match up with teams like Saint Louis and Charlotte. I grew up playing at [former Tiger home field] Echles Field and shed a lot of blood, sweat and tears there, but this new complex is top-of-the-line."

The Memphis men's soccer team, who plays its entire home schedule at Mike Rose Stadium, is currently wrapping up an exhibition tour of Ireland and could not attend.