Oct. 20, 2006

MEMPHIS - Sophomore Maiko Higashiyama gave the Memphis women's soccer team a dramatic 4-3 win over Rice in a wild affair at the Mike Rose Soccer complex on Friday, driving home her fifth goal of the season for the double overtime victory.

The Lady Tigers (8-6-2, 4-2-1 C-USA) managed to score four goals despite taking only 14 shots, nearly six shots below their season average. The team also managed to rack up 12 points. Higashiyama tallied three points, while forwards Shoko Mikami and Kylie Hayes led the way with four each.

"This game had so many ups and downs," said Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan. "I'm proud of our team for battling and coming out with the win, but credit Rice because they fought hard."

After missing several close chances in the opening minutes, Memphis jumped ahead 1-0 with Mikami's 10th goal of the season and carried the lead into the half.

In the second period the Lady Tigers came out slow and fell behind after two goals by Rice's Maria Fadool.

Memphis tied the score again when Higashiyama fed Hayes for her 10th goal of the year. Mikami knocked her second goal from the top of the box nine minutes later to put the Lady Tigers on top again.

The Owls came back down the field almost immediately, scoring less than a minute later when Erin Scott put in her own rebound. Regulation would end with score tied 3-3.

The Lady Tigers had several chances to put the game away in the second over time. Midfielder Emiko Schwab had a wide-open shot sail high. Memphis controlled most of the period and out shot the Owls 3-0.

The end came suddenly in the second overtime. Hayes found Higashiyama behind the Rice defense one minute into the period for the game-winning goal.

Memphis will look to make a two game sweep of its weekend home stand Sunday when it hosts Houston at 1 p.m.

"This one is over now, and we have to move on to the next match," said Monaghan. "We just need to close out the regular season on a strong note and put ourselves in good position for the conference tournament."