Sanderson Scores OT Winner for Tigers

Saturday, September 26

Memphis, Tenn.

5:00 PM CT

University of Memphis

5-3-1

Gonzaga

1-5-4

OT 3

OT 4

GON

Memphis

Sep 27, 2015 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Memphis knocks off Gonzaga in final nonconference match

Memphis and Gonzaga went more than 100 minutes without a goal until junior forward Valerie Sanderson headed one into the back of the net to give the Tigers a 1-0 double overtime win in the final nonconference match of the season Saturday at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

"Tonight was a test of our character," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "We wanted to get something out of this to make us better. After the game settled down we did some good things and their keeper came up big to keep us off the board. In the end Val got the goal and she needed that."

Sanderson was the Tigers best scoring threat throughout the match and if not for a some great saves by Gonzaga's goalkeeper Christie Tombari she would have ended the match in regulation.

Early in the match, Sanderson rocketed a header on target from a corner kick and Tombari was able to fingertip the ball over the cross bar. In the second half she fired a shot on target that was saved on the line by a sprawling Tombari.

The winner came after freshman Catherine Levasseur launched a long cross into the box that Tombari tipped up into the air and Sanderson headed it into the net.

Memphis 'keeper Maryse Bard-Martel was called on to make three saves in the match.

"Every match matters, but now you're playing to win a league. I think we are gradually getting better. We had seven freshmen on at the end of the game and I think we're growing as a team. By no means have we peaked yet but I think we are getting a little better each game," said Monaghan.

The Tigers are back at Mike Rose for their next two matches, hosting Houston Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and SMU Sunday at 1:00 p.m.