The University of Memphis soccer teams ended their spring home matches with wins that showed progress with both programs. Dozens of fans with umbrellas and lawn chairs sat between the football and soccer fields on the southern campus under a blazing sun on April 6 that complemented the energetic play from the Tigers. The women’s team started first with a 4-1 over Arkansas State, and the men defeated former Conference-USA foe, the University of Alabama at Birmingham by the score of 2-0.
Women’s team got a deserved win
After facing two solid SEC teams, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, the Tigers found an opponent in the Red Wolves that allowed younger players to get more minutes and showed a balanced effort defensively and offensively. Brooks Monaghan, the head coach, knew ahead of the day’s match what the team needed to do to improve and was very direct.
It was a short talk from me before the game.” Monaghan said. “I said, ‘I want this better and this better,’ and they got that task done.”
Arkansas State didn’t challenge goalkeeper Rachel Ashworth Shepard much because of a stingy Memphis defense and in turn allowed the Tigers to capitalize on numerous attempts on goal.
Samantha Murphy stood out during the contest with two goals recorded, and Isabella Mattsson continued her early freshman career and adaptation to the collegiate style of play.
“For her, there’s a lot of good, but she has to adapt to the speed and physicality of the game,” Monaghan said. “Her knowledge and skill…good. (I) don’t need to worry about that.”
Memphis lost their clean sheet in the ending of the match where they gave up a corner, and the Red Wolves goalkeeper scored from a header for the consolation. Catherine Levasseur is the third player of the senior class to sign a professional contract with Finland’s Oulu Nice of the Naisten Liiga. She will join her sister Marie Levasseur after she graduates in May.
“I am so excited for her,” Monaghan said. “I think it’s a special story. Two kids who come from a different country to play here, and they end up signing to another country to play professionally.”
Men’s team ends spring slate with a win
In their fifth and final game until fall season, the Tigers displayed an overall balanced performance against a UAB team who went 6-9-3 last year. The game almost didn’t happen because of a player shortage from the Memphis squad with departures of seniors (although senior Mason Morise agreed to participate), players in the midst of transferring (Bryant Huerta and Justyn Thomas) and injuries, but it benefited players looking toward the future.
“There were minutes given to players that didn’t necessarily get them in the fall, and we were so low on numbers that there was a lot of opportunity given.” Richard Mulrooney, head coach, said after the game.
Both teams were even in the start, and it was 50/50 on who would break the deadlock. Memphis scored right before halftime to build confidence heading into the final half. It was more aggressive in the second half as fouls piled on from both sides, and it eventually costed UAB a chance of tying things up.
Gurman Sangha was fouled inside the box and was awarded a penalty. Sangha calmly put the ball in the back of the net and finished the game with a goal and an assist, earning the 2-0 win for Memphis. He looks to build on a strong freshman year after earning All-Rookie honors for the American Conference.
“The team played well, and we all worked hard for each other,” Sangha said. “I felt good today. I got a goal and an assist, and I’m happy to help my team.”
What’s next
The women’s team still has remaining fixtures at Southeastern Missouri and Ole Miss. They are set for kick-off this Saturday at 2 p.m. They await a large class of incoming freshmen ansd look to progress further as the reigning conference champions.
The men’s team now heads into the off season to see who stays and leaves before their freshmen class arrives next fall. After finishing in the conference semifinals last fall, they look to build around their young core with only three seniors heading into next season.
