Lady Tigers Soccer Looks For Historic Win In Opener
As we have discussed, the #10 Memphis Women’s Soccer team will kick start the 2024-5 athletic calendar for the Tigers. On Thursday night, Memphis will host Alabama A&M. starting at 7 pm, with Senior Night beginning at 6:30 before kickoff. In what many see as a definite win for Memphis, we see this as a historic moment for the program. In this piece, we will look at the opponent, some history between the programs, and where history plays into the opener. Memphis will look to 10-0-1 in seaso openers since the 2012 season.
Who Are The Bulldogs Of Alabama A&M
Hailing from Huntsville, Alabama, the Bulldogs represent the SWAC and are led by 2nd year head coach Prince Borde. In his first season, the Bulldogs finished 3-16 including 3-6 in conference play. Alabama A&M would finish the 2023 slate 2-5 at home and 1-0 on the road. Borde would speak on the opening match by saying “We are excited to play against a great team like Memphis“.
For the Bulldogs this game will be a learning experience as they welcome 12 new freshmen to the team. In addition, A&M added portal talent in Sarah De Gannes, a graduate, from Western Illinois, India Irie Gaitena, a senior, from Motlow Community College, and Moriah Watkins, a sophomore, Purdue. These new pieces will be vital to their season. Borde would also say “This match is a learning experience for us all. Bulldog soccer will be on full display for the entire nation to see. We will fight, persevere and represent the University with pride.” when speaking on the road trip and how his team will come into Memphis from a mindset perspective.
Series History
The Tigers and Bulldogs have not met in nearly 20 years, with Memphis winning these contests in 2003 and 2004. In the first game, in Memphis, the Tigers would win, 5-1, over the Bulldogs. In this game, the Tigers would be ledbyd two goals from Yuiko Konno. The following season Memphis would make the 214-mile trip to Huntsville.
In that game, Memphis would win behind strong performances from, the freshman, on the team. TTheTigers would win, 4-1, with three of tthefour goals coming from freshly striped Tigers on the roster at the time. Memphis enters the 2024 opener with an average of 5 goals per contest against the Bulldogs.
Walking Into History In Memphis
When most look at this opening matchup, they see a top-10 Memphis program opening its season. What some miss is the historical nature of the game. In what is Tigers head coach, Brooks MoMonaghan25th year at the helm he is on the verge of an incredible milestone. Monaghan, who currently has 299 career wins, will embark on win number 300 for Memphis. The win would make Monoghan the 27th coach to have 300 wins at one instiution.
When you look at the trend of the Women’s Soccer program in Memphis one name stands alone, Monaghan and for good reason. He has led Memphis to 87 wins, since the 2018 season, which is the 10th most in Division 1 soccer in the past 6six seasons. In addition, Memphis was one of four teas to win 20 games in the 2023 season, finishing 20-2 and would appear in their second consecutive NCAA Sweet Sixteen. With the second appearance, Memphis was one of seven schools to do so in 2022 and 2023.
If you were to ask Monoghan about the potential milestone he would make it about the program and seeing them grow and continue to trend in the national landscape as they do but without Brooks Monohgan none of this is possible.
When the game kicks off, from the Track and Soccer Complex, at 7:00 pm CT, there will be more at stake than a 1-0 start. There is an entire program ready to celebrate a legendary coach who has given his all back through years of service.
