As one of only six undefeated teams in NCAA Division I Women's Soccer, The University of Memphis Lady Tigers have broken yet another team record this season as they climbed into the top five nationally ranked teams, the first time in program history.
The Tigers, No. 5 in the Soccer America Poll and No. 9 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Poll, are in their fifth week ranked in the top ten. They were ranked No. 8 going into matchups against UTEP and Colorado College last weekend.
"The team is extremely confident right now, but at the same time they're level headed," said Brooks Monaghan, head coach of the Lady Tigers.
On Friday, the Lady Tigers faced a solid offensive team in UTEP, but still came out on top. Dominating both the offense and defense, the Tigers finished the game with 20 shots on goal, seven corner kicks and four saves en route to a 3-0 victory.
On Sunday, The U of M defeated Colorado College (7-6-3, 5-2-1 C-USA) 2-1. With the win, the Lady Tigers finished 7-0-1 at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex, going unbeaten at home for the first time in program history.
"Friday was full of energy. I was very pleased with the way we played, and the way we played led us to a big result," Monaghan said.
Several players set personal records last weekend, including senior goalie Elise Kuhar-Pitters, who collected her 50th career victory and tied her own single-season mark for wins with 15, second-most in a season for The U of M.
Seven players now have three or more goals in the 2011 season.
"We stay humble no matter what we do, no matter what the records and rankings say, keeping our heads and just playing the same way we've been playing the whole time," Oduro said. "We're staying even more focused than we did in the beginning of the season, because this time last year was up and down a bit, and we're just trying to keep it going and trying to get where we want to be."
The Tigers return to the pitch on Friday, Oct. 21, at Southern Mississippi University with game time set for 4 p.m. The matchup is the 13th meeting between the Tigers and Golden Eagles. Memphis holds the advantage in the all-time series, 9-4.
