Tigers Picked First in American Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
Aug 12, 2025 | Women's Soccer
IRVING, Texas – Memphis women's soccer was picked first in the 2025 American Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced on Tuesday afternoon.
The Tigers totaled 96 points – two more than second-place South Florida – behind six of 11 first-place votes. The full poll can be found below; coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
Forward Ashley Henderson, midfielder Ai Kitagawa and defender Finley Lavin were selected to the 2025 American Women's Soccer Watch List.
Henderson, a Memphis native headed into her third season with the Tigers, was named to the All-Conference Second Team in 2024 behind a team-high nine goals and three assists.
The sophomore Kitagawa was named the conference's Freshman of the Year and a TopDrawerSoccer All-Freshman Second Team member in her first collegiate season. She contributed six goals and six assists.
The conference's reigning Defender of the Year, Lavin was one of two Memphis players (Momo Nakao) named to the All-Conference First Team. She also earned the university's Female Student-Athlete of the Year honor at the PAWSCARS.
Memphis received nine votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, the only school in the conference to do so. The reigning regular season champions will begin their season at home this Thursday, August 14, at 6:00 p.m. against Southern Miss. With limited bleacher seating at the under-construction Track and Soccer Stadium, fans are encouraged to bring their own chairs for home games in 2025.
2. South Florida (4), 94
3. Rice, 76
4. East Carolina (1), 64
5. North Texas, 63
6. Tulsa, 48
7. UAB, 47
8. UTSA, 38
9. Florida Atlantic, 36
10. Charlotte, 33
11. Temple 10
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.
The Tigers totaled 96 points – two more than second-place South Florida – behind six of 11 first-place votes. The full poll can be found below; coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
Forward Ashley Henderson, midfielder Ai Kitagawa and defender Finley Lavin were selected to the 2025 American Women's Soccer Watch List.
Henderson, a Memphis native headed into her third season with the Tigers, was named to the All-Conference Second Team in 2024 behind a team-high nine goals and three assists.
The sophomore Kitagawa was named the conference's Freshman of the Year and a TopDrawerSoccer All-Freshman Second Team member in her first collegiate season. She contributed six goals and six assists.
The conference's reigning Defender of the Year, Lavin was one of two Memphis players (Momo Nakao) named to the All-Conference First Team. She also earned the university's Female Student-Athlete of the Year honor at the PAWSCARS.
Memphis received nine votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, the only school in the conference to do so. The reigning regular season champions will begin their season at home this Thursday, August 14, at 6:00 p.m. against Southern Miss. With limited bleacher seating at the under-construction Track and Soccer Stadium, fans are encouraged to bring their own chairs for home games in 2025.
2025 American Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll (first-place votes)
1. Memphis (6), 962. South Florida (4), 94
3. Rice, 76
4. East Carolina (1), 64
5. North Texas, 63
6. Tulsa, 48
7. UAB, 47
8. UTSA, 38
9. Florida Atlantic, 36
10. Charlotte, 33
11. Temple 10
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.
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