Memphis women wrap up two game homestand with comprehensive 4-0 win over UT-Martin

Following their tough 2-0 win against North Texas on Thursday, the UofM women’s soccer team had a much easier go of it on Sunday as they breezed past UT-Martin by a final score of 4-0. It was a game in which the Skyhawks were, quite frankly, overmatched by the Tigers. Three different players for Memphis got in on the scoring as they improved their record to 7-1 on the season.

“Yeah there was a lot of good stuff tonight” said Brooks Monaghan. “It’s always good to get as many players on the field as we did, and we needed that. We’ve been in some really tough matches and we’ve made the decision not to sub a lot lately. These kids put a ton of work in so it’s nice to be able to reward them. But a lot of good stuff. We’ve still just got a little bit more clinical in the box. I thought we created a lot of chances and we could’ve scored more goals. But a 4-0 victory and shutout, you can’t complain too much.”

Memphis got off to a hot start as they took the lead early on as Momo Nakao poked the ball in after a goal line scramble. With 15 minutes left in the first half Yui Suetsugu scored a golazo with a blast from 25 yards out to make it 2-0, a lead which the Tigers took into the locker room. The second half was more of the same from Memphis as almost immediately after the restart, a cross by Anna Hauer forced an own goal from UT-Martin (which didn’t matter as had it not been an own goal, Mya Jones was waiting to pounce for the Tigers.) And with 25 minutes left in the game it was Mya Jones with a great ball into the box for Saorla Miller to tap home from three yards out.

One thing that frustrated Coach Monaghan following their previous outing on Thursday was that he felt his team had not shown the requisite game to game improvement. That was not the case tonight.

“Yeah absolutely. Just the energy, the communication, and the will to win the ball back if we lost it. I thought that was good. So yeah, absolutely pleased with that part of the game.”

The Tigers now must prepare for their first road game in conference play as they get set to travel to San Antonio to take on the Roadrunners of UTSA, another new addition to the American Athletic Conference and the 2022 Conference USA Tournament Champions.

“We’ve got a couple of very tough games coming up with UTSA and then back here against SMU. But UTSA, they’re good man. I’ve known their coach for a long time. He’ll have them ready to play and it’ll be a very, very tough match. But you take this one and the kids get a break tomorrow and then back to work on Tuesday.”