No. 7 Tigers Beat Illinois, 2-1, to Advance to NCAA Second Round
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Two first-half goals from Ai Kitagawa lifted the seventh-seeded Memphis soccer team to a 2-1 victory against Illinois on Saturday night.
It was a packed house at the Track and Soccer Stadium, with 1,801 fans supporting the Tigers for the final time at home this season. The win marks the 39th consecutive home match without a loss for Memphis (17-0-3, 9-0-1 American), dating back to 2021 and spanning four complete seasons.
“I’m extremely proud of this team and how we played. We had a great week of practice, but with a super young team you just don’t know exactly what you’re going to get in a game like this,” said head coach Brooks Monaghan. “The effort these girls gave for 90 minutes was superb, and I want to thank everyone who came out and made it a great atmosphere. Illinois is a great team. They are in the tournament for a reason, so to put in that shift and come away with a win was great to see.”
Kitagawa opened the scoring in the 12th minute; after Illinois (13-6-2, 5-3-2 Big Ten) leveled it in the 27th minute, it was the Japan native again who re-captured the advantage via penalty kick with 23 seconds remaining in the half.
Memphis was undeniably the more deserving team after the 90 minutes, outshooting the Fighting Illini, 17-6, and winning 11 corner kicks to the visitors’ four.
After a nervy start to a high-stakes game, the Tigers settled in and found the first goal after a quickly taken throw-in got Kitagawa into space. The sophomore fired a rocket from her left foot into the top corner; Ashley Henderson and Elise Perron were credited with the assist.
Illinois’ second shot of the game came from talisman Cayla Jackson and tested goalkeeper Abby Kudla, who made a stop but could not save the follow-up effort from Sydney Stephens who tied things at one.
Kitagawa came close again in the 36th minute, capping a team move with a forceful shot off the top of the crossbar and out of play. The Tigers earned a pair of corners in the final minute of the half, and Illinois was called for a handball with 23 seconds left in the frame. Kitagawa stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way for her 10th goal this year.
Memphis stayed in control of the game as it neared its end; Kudla was forced into just one save and three overall.
The Tigers will enter the NCAA Second Round for the fifth time ever (2011, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025). They are set to visit TCU on Thursday, November 20, at 7 p.m. in Fort Worth, Texas.
Memphis Comes Up Short at East Carolina
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Memphis Tigers left everything on the field Saturday night, pushing East Carolina to the very end, before dropping a 31-27 road game at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. Playing through an ankle injury, quarterback Brendon Lewis once again showed toughness and leadership, nearly guiding the Tigers to a late comeback.
Memphis’ offense racked up 457 total yards and maintained a balanced attack between the run and the pass. Quarterback Brendon Lewis completed 32-of-43 passes for 209 yards, throwing a touchdown and adding another on the ground. The Tigers spread the ball effectively, with 12 different receivers catching passes, led by Cortez Braham Jr. who hauled in nine receptions for 79 yards, and tight end Matt Adcock, who caught a touchdown in the red zone.
On the ground, Memphis eclipsed 240 rushing yards, its first 200-yard rushing game since September. Sutton Smith led the way with 109 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries, including an explosive 84-yard scamper in the second quarter. Lewis contributed 61 yards on 12 carries, and Greg Desrosiers Jr. added 53 yards, helping the Tigers average 7.3 yards per rush.
The Memphis defense was led by linebackers Sam Brumfield and Everett Roussaw Jr., who recorded 12 and 11 tackles, respectively. Roussaw also added a sack and a forced fumble, while Drue Watts chipped in a sack. Defensive backs Samson Israel and Jeremiah Jordan were active in coverage, combining for a pair of pass breakups.
The Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 51-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021.
Dating back to a win over UAB during the 2023 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 26 of the last 31 games. Over the stretch the Tigers have created 56 takeaways (32 interceptions, 24 fumble recoveries).
Memphis took a 27-24 lead with 2:29 remaining after linebacker Roussaw Jr. stripped ECU quarterback Katin Houser, and Pooda Walker pounced on the fumble. Kicker Gianni Spetic drilled a 30-yard field goal, putting the Tigers back in front. But the Pirates answered immediately. Houser led ECU 75 yards in under 90 seconds and hit Payton Mangrum for a 30-yard go-ahead touchdown with 1:08 to play. Memphis drove to the ECU 49-yard line in the closing moments, but a last-second hail mary was intercepted.
After not scoring in the opening quarter for the first time this season, the Tigers got on the board early in the second frame when Brendon Lewis connected with tight end Matt Adcock on a fourth-and-goal strike from five yards out in the back of the endzone to tie the game at 7-7.
Moments later, after a Drue Watts sack that led the Pirates to a turnover on downs, Sutton Smith burst free for an 84-yard touchdown run, pushing Memphis in front 14-7 with 5:42 remaining in the first half.
Spetic added a 44-yard field goal just before halftime to make it 17-10 Tigers at the break. Memphis extended its lead again (24-17) in the third when Lewis kept it for a 7-yard rushing touchdown, his ninth score on the ground this season.
East Carolina rallied with 21 second-half points, including two touchdowns in the final six minutes, to outlast the Tigers. It was the most points the Tigers have allowed all season in the second half.
The Tigers are now 43-for-45 in red zone possessions this season, including scoring a touchdown on 35 of 45 trips in the red zone.
UP NEXT:
The Tigers will take their second bye week of the season before hosting Navy in the regular season finale on Thanksgiving night at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT with coverage available on ESPN.