Four Tigers Named to American Conference Weekly Honors List
Aug 25, 2025 | Women's Soccer
IRVING, Texas – Four members of Memphis women's soccer were among honorees for the American Conference's weekly awards announced on Monday afternoon. Ai Kitagawa took home Offensive Player of the Week, Finley Lavin won Defensive Player of the Week, Ellis Kelly collected her second consecutive Freshman of the Week and Abby Kudla was among the honorable mentions.
Kitagawa scored two goals in No. 24 Memphis' 7-0 victory over Kennesaw State, and her corner kick delivery was instrumental in the game's lone goal against No. 11 Vanderbilt on Sunday. The reigning conference Freshman of the Year now has three goals and two assists in 292 minutes this season.
Lavin, the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, led the Memphis backline to two consecutive shutouts, playing all 90 minutes in the top-25 win over Vanderbilt. The team's goals-against average of 0.5 ranks second in the conference.
Ellis Kelly posted two goals and an assist against the Owls on Thursday, the second brace of her freshman season. Her 11 points through four games is tied for the sixth most in Division I.
Kudla garnered an honorable mention on the back of a five-save performance in the clean sheet against the Commodores. After making just one save through three games, the sophomore from Strongsville, Ohio, shattered her career-high in saves en route to victory.
The No. 24 Tigers (4-0) will be back at home this Thursday, August 28, for a matchup against Missouri at 7:30 p.m.
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.
