The 10th-ranked Memphis Tigers Women's Soccer Team defeated the University of Alabama at Birmingham 4-0 in dominating fashion to clinch the AAC West Division title, improving to 13-1 on the season.
UAB entered the match in 5th place in the East Division of the American Conference and 9th overall in the AAC at 1-1-4 in conference play. Memphis entered the match a perfect 6-0 in American play, sitting in 1st place in the West Division and the overall standings.
The Tigers came out of the gates on fire, dominating the early portion of the game. In the 5th minute, Memphis star freshman Anna Hauer scored off a beautiful cross from Mya Jones to give the Tigers an early lead.
After forcing a turnover on the ensuing kickoff, Memphis took full control of the game as midfielder Honoka Hamano scored to make the score 2-0.
In the 18th minute, the Tigers had another opportunity with a loose ball in the Blazers box, but they could not take advantage. UAB goalkeeper Anika Toth made two strong saves in the later portion of the opening half to keep her team within striking distance.
The Tigers had a potential 3rd goal called back in the 30th minute, as the head referee signaled for offsides.
After another solid opportunity in the form of a header went wide in the 41st minute, Memphis went into the halftime break with a 2-0 lead. At halftime, the Tigers had outshot UAB 11-0, playing one of their most dominant halves of the season.
Memphis Substitutions
- Ashley Henderson for Anna Hauer (32’)
- Delaney Tellex for Saorla Miller (37’)
- Jocelyn Alonzo for Mya Jones (40’)
The second half saw more of the same, as Memphis’ attack created two corner kick opportunities in the first 5 minutes. The Tigers added to their lead in the 59th minute when Saorla Miller got the ball past Toth, making it a 3-0 game.
With a 3-goal cushion, the Tigers subbed out goalkeeper Kaylie Bierman in the 70th minute.
Two minutes later, star forward Mya Jones had her shot from the top of the box deflected up and into the goal by teammate Haylee Spree, extending Memphis’ lead to 4-0.
In the 74th minute, UAB got their first shot, but backup keeper Claire Wyville saved Memphis’ clean sheet. Both teams made a plethora of substitutions late, but neither team saw a great opportunity in the last 15 minutes.
Memphis ran out the clock to clinch the West Division of the American Athletic Conference and the first seed in the AAC tournament. The Tigers outshot UAB 18-1 in the game and had a 17-1 corner kick advantage, dominating every aspect of the game.
Memphis Substitutions
Anna Hauer for Ashley Henderson (45’)
Mya Jones for Jocelyn Alonzo (45’)
Saorla Miller for Delaney Tellex (45’)
Yui Suetsugu for Anna Hauer (67’)
Izzy Monck for Grace Stordy (69’)
Lilly Huber for Anne-Valerie Seto (72’)
Shae Taylor for Hanoka Hamano (73’)
Zoe May for Haylee Spray (75’)
Hanoka Hamano for Momo Nakao (79’)
Delaney Tellex for Mya Jones (79’)
Sarah Granno for Saorla Miller (80’)
Macee McKenna for Yui Suetsugu (85’)
Ashley Henderson for Hanoka Hamano (85’)
The Tigers will host Temple in their regular season home finale on Sunday at 1 P.M. CT at the Billy J. Murphy Soccer/Track & Field Complex. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
