Aug. 29, 2002

Memphis, Tenn.-- - A youthful University of Memphis women's soccer team, equipped with just three seniors, four juniors and 17 underclassmen, will open its 2002 season Friday at the Florida Atlantic Tournament in Boca Raton, Fla.

The Lady Tigers open with the host Owls at 6:30 p.m., CDT, and after having Saturday off, Memphis will take on Florida International on Sunday, Sept. 1, at Noon, CDT.

Coming off a 5-13-1 season in which the Lady Tigers lost nine contests by just one goal, third-year head coach Brooks Monaghan is confident his team will turn things around in 2002. "We had a great Spring and we worked the girls really hard," Monaghan said. "We also added some very talented players to this year's squad. I think we are going to surprise a lot of people out there, but I still think it takes a while to build a program."

Exactly half of Monaghan's 24-man roster is made up of newcomers which includes one senior, three sophomores and eight freshman.

This will mark the first time Memphis has faced either Florida Atlantic or Florida International in competition and it will be only the third time the Lady Tigers have traveled to Florida for a match. Memphis is 0-2 in the Sunshine State losing a pair of matches to conference-foe South Florida.

The Lady Tigers played in only one exhibition match during the preseason defeating a group of UM Alumni players 4-1. Newcomer Kirsty Marr led the offensive attack scoring two goals and adding an assist. Sophomore Amy Ciezki added a goal and an assist.

Memphis opens its home slate of games against Northeastern at 3 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 6, at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.