No. 19 Tigers Defeat Rice, Advance to Fourth Consecutive Final

Thursday, November 7

Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

6:00 p.m.

University of Memphis

13-1-4, 6-0-4

Rice

12-6-2, 5-4-1

Rice

Memphis

No. 19 Tigers Defeat Rice, Advance to Fourth Consecutive Final

Nov 07, 2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – Sophomore forward Ashley Henderson scored a goal in each half on Thursday night, logging her second brace of the season to help usher Memphis over Rice, 3-1, in the AAC semifinal.

The Tigers (13-1-4, 6-0-4 AAC) will play for the conference title for a fourth consecutive season and the sixth time since 2018. The win marked 11 tournament wins in a row for the defending champs.

"Every tournament game is different and presents different challenges. We responded well to conceding in the quarterfinal; knowing you can do it gives you more confidence if it happens again," said head coach Brooks Monaghan. "I'm proud of our overall effort. In games like this, you need players to step up, and Ashley stepped up with what I think was her best performance this season."

Top-seeded Memphis started the game on the front foot, but both teams came close to scoring in the opening quarter hour. Anne-Valerie Seto nailed the crossbar on a third-minute, long-range effort; Rice's Lauren Pickup also hit the woodwork off a set piece in minute 15.

The Tigers cracked the scoreboard first by intercepting a long goal kick and bombing forward, with Ai Kitagawa playing Henderson clean through on goal. The sophomore made no mistake, firing the finish past the near post for her second goal of the tournament and eighth of the year.

Rice (12-6-2, 5-4-1 AAC) leveled the score in the 57th minute when Natalie Gorji headed a corner kick home at the near post. For the second time in as many games, Memphis' response was swift and abundant, as Henderson re-gained the Tigers' lead 11 minutes later. Ally Casey logged her first career assist for the cross that found the head of Henderson.

Midfielder Momo Nakao had another great game in the midfield and was rewarded with a goal, burying a shot with her left foot to put the game to rest in the 77th minute. Henderson was credited with the assist, her third of the year.

Memphis out-shot the Owls, 18-8, and forced five saves from goalkeeper Faith Hutchins.

The Tigers will take on third-seeded East Carolina, who advanced through the semifinals on penalty kicks, on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast on ESPNU.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.