No. 8 Memphis Reaches Round of 16 with 3-2 Victory over No. 9 Notre Dame
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 8-ranked and sixth-seeded University of Memphis women’s soccer team defeated the No. 9-ranked and third-seeded University of Notre Dame, 3-2, on Friday afternoon in Fayetteville, Ark.
With the victory, Memphis (20-1) has reached the Round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament for a second-consecutive season for the first time in program history.
“It was a full team effort from start to finish,” head coach Brooks Monaghan said following the match. “I couldn’t be prouder. That was a very, very good team that we played. I’m delighted for this group of kids.”
KEY MOMENTS
• In the 16th minute, Mya Jones sent pass into the center of the box that Notre Dame (12-4-4) was unable to clear. Out of the chaos of the failed clearance, the ball found the foot of Memphis’ Finley Lavin, who scored with her right foot to the left corner of the goal to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
• Memphis goalkeeper Kaylie Bierman had five saves in the first half, stifling a potent Fighting Irish attack until Notre Dame found the equalizer in the 44th minute off the foot of Meg Mrowicki.
• On a free kick from 28-yards out in the 76th minute, Saorla Miller hit a beautiful, right-footed curler that hit off the near post and in to give the Tigers a 2-1 advantage.
• Just 90 seconds later, Memphis doubled its lead with a stunner off the foot of Ashley Henderson. After beating her defender, Henderson hit a left-footed laser from the top-left corner of the box to the far-right post, making the lead 3-1 for the Tigers.
• Notre Dame answered less than two minutes later on a goal from Maddie Mercado to cut the advantage to 3-2 but were not able to find the equalizer.
NOTABLES
• The victory marked the sixth this season over a Power 5 opponent for the Tigers.
• The win was the 17th-straight for Memphis.
• Lavin’s goal was the first of her career.
• Miller’s strike in the second half was her team-leading 12th of the season.
• Henderson’s goal was her fourth of year.
• Bierman’s six saves on the day were a career high.
UP NEXT
• With the victory, Memphis advances to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament to face either No. 2-seeded Arkansas and No. 7-seeded Pittsburgh on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. in Fayetteville, Ark.