Second-Half Onslaught Sends Memphis Past Alabama 4-1

Friday, September 10

Memphis, Tenn. (Mike Rose Soccer Complex)

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

5-1-0

Alabama

3-2-0

Alabama

Memphis

Second-Half Onslaught Sends Memphis Past Alabama 4-1

Sep 10, 2010 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 10, 2010

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Box Score

By: Preston McClellan, Student Assistant

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--After managing a season-low four shots in the first half, Memphis came alive in the second half behind sophomore Taylor Isenhower's two goals to roll past the Crimson Tide, 4-1.

After falling behind 1-0 following a first-half Alabama goal, Memphis came out firing in the second half, attempting 10 shots and getting three corner kicks within the first 15 minutes of play.

Senior midfielder Vendula Strnadova initiated the action on the Lady Tigers' first goal in the 53rd minute, lofting a high arching corner kick into the box and setting up a header from Isenhower.

Less than a minute later, Isenhower received a cross from senior Ashley Berra and fired a strike into the back of the net to put the Lady Tigers on top for good.

Isenhower recorded her third career multi-goal game and now has eight career goals. Strnadova also recorded one shot in the game, giving her 200 for her career.

The Lady Tigers extend their advantage in the 81st minute on a 25-yard howler from freshmen Emmaleigh Davis. It was Davis' first career goal.

80 seconds later, Laura Laufenberg continued the Lady Tiger onslaught, firing a rocket from 18 yards out that made it in just over the keeper. This is the second straight game Memphis has scored at least four goals in the second half.

Memphis finished the second half with 14 shots and four corner kicks after managing zero corners in the opening half. The Lady Tigers recorded 18 shots throughout the game and four keepers.

Goalkeeper Elise Kuhar-Pitters allowed one goal on eight Crimson Tide shots and picked up two saves.

Both teams got off to a slow start as each battled for position and ball control. Through 20 minutes, the Crimson Tide owned the only shot of the contest.

Alabama broke through in the 41st minute when #22 Ariel Amijo received a pass from #5 Kendall Khanna and headed it through from just inside 18 yard to give the Crimson Tide a 1-0 advantage.

The Lady Tigers were unable to get off a shot until the 25th minute when Isenhower's shot from the top left of the box was saved by Crimson Tide keeper Shanna Brooks.

Memphis got its best chance in the first half on a cross from Isenhower in the 39th minute. Ashley Berra tracked it down and got off a shot before colliding with the Alabama goalkeeper and watching the shot sail wide left.

Memphis' 5-1 start is the best in program history as the Lady Tigers are now only one win away from 150 program wins (149-142-15). The Lady Tigers also improve to 50-4-2 since the 2007 season when holding its opponents to one or fewer goals.

The U of M is also now 42-16-2 at Mike Rose Soccer Complex since 2004 and 34-1-1 when scoring three or more goals.

The Lady Tigers will travel to Oxford Sunday, Sept. 12 to take on the Rebels of Ole Miss in their third match-up against an SEC opponent. Memphis returns home to face TCU on Sept. 17 at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.