Memphis Knocks Off No. 19 Ole Miss

Friday, August 26

Oxford, Miss

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

3-0

Ole Miss

2-1

Memphis

Ole Miss

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Aug 26, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Tigers ride early goals from Serena Dolan and Marie Levasseur

OXFORD, Miss. – Memphis scored twice in the opening 15 minutes and outlasted No. 19 Ole Miss for a 2-1 win Friday night at Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. The Tigers are now 3-0 to start the season for the first time since 2011.

"In the first 25 minutes we were great, the girls played the game plan," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "I'm super proud of the group. It's early in the season and we still have a lot to work on but the grit, the fight and the hustle were great tonight."

Freshman Serena Dolan scored in the 12^th minute on a perfectly placed shot into the bottom corner of the net. Senior Valerie Sanderson was credited with the assist, her second of the season. Dolan has two goals to her credit early in her rookie campaign.

Just a few moments later sophomore Marie Levasseur dribbled around an onrushing goalkeeper and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net. The goal was also her second of the season.

"Serena is a box-to-box midfielder. With her athleticism and ability on the ball she can create space for herself. The sky is the limit for her and she has done well. We have high expectations of her," said Monaghan.

The Tigers were comfortably in the lead at halftime but the match became much closer in the second half. Ole Miss poured on the pressure in the final 30 minutes and was able to cut into the lead with a penalty in the 72^nd minute.

Clinging to the one-goal lead in the final 18 minutes, Memphis goalkeeper Maryse Bard-Martel came up with several big saves and the Tigers defended heroically. Bard-Martel finished the match with eight saves.

"We try to take things one game at a time. If you put yourself in a position mentally and physically to be able to compete at your highest level every match then the ball is going to bounce your way more often than not"

The Tigers will have a quick turnaround, travelling to take on Little Rock Sunday at 7 p.m.

Memphis returns to Mike Rose Soccer Complex to host UMKC on Friday, Sept 4 at 7:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the men's soccer team.

Friday night will be a special night at Mike Rose with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in attendance to recognize two cancer survivors that are special to the Memphis soccer family. Alyssa de Jong, daughter of men's goalkeeper coach Remco, and her cousin, Tyler, were both diagnosed with cancer and have since raised $200,000 to fund and raise awareness for St. Jude. As part of the evening there will be donation tables set up for the families.

Memphis won't be in action on Sunday, Sept. 4 but the Tigers will be hosting a youth clinic from 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., prior to the start of the men's match against Missouri State at 2 p.m.