No. 20 Memphis women’s soccer improved to 2-0 on the season after defeating Ole Miss 1-0. It was a close game at the Track & Soccer Complex as Saorla Miller’s goal was the deciding factor.
Memphis Magic continues in the First Half
Junior goalkeeper Kaylie Bierman stood in goal for Memphis and Shu Ohba was in for Ole Miss.
The Memphis women came out aggressive to start the game with three corner kicks in the first two minutes. Ole Miss kept it aggressive as well with both teams forcing each other’s defense to be alert.
Then, fifth-year senior Saorla Miller netted a goal in the 23rd minute to break open the scoreboard. The goal was assisted by freshman forward Anna Hauer, who subbed in seconds before the goal. It also marked Miller’s third goal of the season, currently leading the team in that category.
From there, the story of the half was the play of Bierman. She notched three saves in the first half to keep Ole Miss off the board.
Both teams found most of the action coming in the form of corners as Ole Miss had three and Memphis had five.
Memphis Substitutions
- Anna Hauer for Jocelyn Alonzo (23′)
- Delaney Tellex for Saorla Miller (29′)
- Sarah Granno for Delaney Tellex (38′)
- Ashley Henderson for Mya Jones (39′)
Memphis’ Defense keeps it clean in Second Half
Nothing different in the second half compared to the first as Memphis prevented Ole Miss from finding the net.
Memphis got off six shots and could not get that insurance goal to put away Ole Miss. Although, the Memphis defense kept things at a good pace, forcing the Rebels to struggle offensively.
Bierman stayed excellent in the net as she saved three more shots. The effort was enough to keep a clean sheet and give Memphis the win.
Memphis Substitutions
- Mya Jones for Ashley Henderson (45′)
- Saorla Miller for Sarah Granno (45′)
- Jocelyn Alonzo for Anna Hauer (45′)
- Finley Lavin for Lilly Huber (56′)
- Anna Hauer for Jocelyn Alonzo (62′)
- Lilly Huber for Anne-Valerie Seto (67′)
- Delaney Tellex for Saorla Miller (75′)
- Honoka Hamano for Momo Nakao (80′)
- Anne-Valerie Seto for Lilly Huber (80′)
- Saorla Miller for Mya Jones (81′)
- Mya Jones for Honoka Hamano (86′)
- Momo Nakao for Delaney Tellex (86′)
Memphis Post-Game Summary
The Tigers are 2-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 season and get their first win versus Ole Miss since 2019. A start like this is what Memphis needs as they are expected to make a big leap this year.
“I was happy with a lot of things we did. Still some things we have to clean up,” head coach Brooks Monaghan said. “In the first half, I thought we did have the better of it. Then, we changed some things at halftime that just didn’t work so we changed back. For the first 20 minutes of the first half, I thought they had the better of us and I take responsibility as it was our choice to change. I was happy with us being able to change systems through the run of play. Overall, happy to get the result.”
Monaghan has Memphis set up to be dominant this year in conference play. As noted, they are still working on finding a consistent system but once it is found, the Tigers can be dangerous.
Miller now has three goals in her first two games this season. She has shown great ability offensively to set herself up in the right places to be a beneficiary of a goal. The duo of her and Mya Jones has the potential to be one of the best in the nation.
What’s Next for Memphis?
The Tigers will play one more at the Track and Soccer Complex versus Ohio State. Then, the team will go on a three-game road trip before starting conference play versus North Texas.
Kick-off for the match versus Ohio State will take place at 7 p.m. central time on ESPN+.
