Memphis Continues Conference Title Push Against UTSA, North Texas

Thursday, October 22

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

UTSA

Oct 21, 2026 | Women's Soccer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis women's soccer team returns home to host UTSA on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. CT before traveling to Denton, Texas, for a Sunday afternoon matchup against North Texas at 1 p.m. CT. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.

The Tigers (5-0-1 American) enter the week atop the American Conference standings with 16 points after picking up their fourth conference shutout of the season in a 2-0 road victory over Temple last Thursday. Memphis remains the conference's last unbeaten team, holding a three-point advantage over Charlotte (13 points), while UAB and Florida Atlantic sit close behind with 12 points apiece.

Memphis continued its strong run of form against Temple, with sophomore Mihiro Furuya opening the scoring in the 24th minute on a beautifully curled strike from outside the box. Junior Ai Kitagawa sealed the victory in the 86th minute with her eighth goal of the season and 24th of her career. The Tigers' defense delivered another dominant performance, limiting the Owls to just one shot and none on goal.

Two Tigers received American Conference weekly recognition following the victory. Freshman Maira Boosman earned Defensive Player and Freshman of the Week honors after anchoring the Memphis back line for all 90 minutes and helping secure the shutout. Boosman has appeared in every match this season, making 11 starts and totaling 920 minutes.

Furuya also earned an honorable mention after her spectacular strike proved to be the game-winner against Temple. The goal was her second of the season and fourth of her collegiate career.

SCOUTING REPORT

Game One: vs. UTSA

UTSA enters Thursday's matchup with a 6-3-5 overall record and sits seventh in the American Conference standings. The Roadrunners currently rank No. 142 in the NCAA RPI and are coming off a 1-1 home draw against Tulsa last week.

UTSA's most notable result of the season came in a 1-1 road draw against No. 40 Charlotte. However, the Roadrunners have also faced setbacks, including a 1-1 draw against No. 320 Texas Southern and a 1-0 road defeat to No. 184 East Carolina.

Memphis holds a 3-0-1 advantage in the all-time series but will look for redemption after UTSA eliminated the Tigers in the semifinals of last season's American Conference Tournament. Memphis, ranked No. 3 nationally at the time, held a two-goal advantage with approximately five minutes remaining before the Roadrunners scored twice late to force overtime and eventually advanced on penalties. Prior to that contest, Memphis had won all three meetings without conceding a goal.

The Roadrunners are led by ninth-year head coach Derek Pittman, who owns a 70-58-30 record at UTSA. Pittman has compiled a 121-125-48 career record with previous stops at Arkansas State and Idaho.

UTSA's attack is led by redshirt sophomore Leah Varela, who ranks second in the American Conference with nine assists and leads the Roadrunners with 13 points. UTSA has spread the goals out this season, with 12 different players finding the back of the net.

As a team, UTSA ranks 53rd nationally in assists per game (1.86), 61st in total assists (26) and 89th in points per game (5.14).

Game Two: at North Texas

North Texas enters the week with a 4-6-4 overall record and sits 10th in the American Conference standings. The Mean Green currently rank No. 186 in the NCAA RPI and are coming off a thrilling 3-3 road draw against Rice last week.

North Texas' most notable result of the season came in a 1-1 draw against No. 72 Oral Roberts, while the Mean Green also settled for a 1-1 draw against No. 260 South Florida.

Memphis leads the all-time series 3-0-1, having won all three previous meetings at home. The Tigers' only previous trip to Denton ended in a draw, giving Memphis an opportunity to secure its first road victory in the series on Sunday.

The Mean Green are led by longtime head coach John Hedlund, who has guided the program since its inception. Hedlund owns a 410-174-59 career record and ranks 13th all-time in NCAA Division I women's soccer victories and sixth among active head coaches. He is also the winningest coach across all sports in North Texas Athletics history.

Junior forward Claire Niedermeier leads the Mean Green attack, leading the American Conference with 11 goals through 14 matches. Niedermeier has accounted for 45.8% of North Texas' 24 goals this season and ranks 14th nationally in total goals.

As a team, North Texas ranks 28th nationally in shots per game (16.57), 39th in yellow cards (18) and 98th in shots on goal per game (6.5).

TIGER TIDBITS

Since 2023, Memphis owns a 58-8-9 overall record and an .833 winning percentage. Only No. 15 Florida State (.857) has posted a higher winning percentage over that span.
The Tigers have been equally dominant in conference play, posting a 29-0-6 record and an .914 winning percentage against American Conference opponents since 2023. Only Milwaukee (.921) has recorded a higher conference winning percentage during that stretch.
Memphis has not lost a regular-season conference match since Oct. 27, 2022, when the Tigers fell on the road at SMU.
Through 13 matches, Memphis has outshot its opponents 239-87, including a 112-45 advantage in shots on goal. The Tigers have also held a 90-35 edge in corner kicks.
Head coach Brooks Monaghan has called upon several freshmen and transfers to make significant contributions this season:
- Freshman Miyu Morota has appeared in eight matches, totaling 141 minutes.
- Freshman Ella Etienne has played 92 minutes across six appearances, recording her first collegiate assist against Tulsa.
- Freshman Marika Martineau has appeared in 10 matches, logging 203 minutes.
- Freshman Neko Michell has totaled 169 minutes across seven matches, earning her first collegiate start at No. 8 Ohio State.
- Transfer Zerina Markovic has appeared in all 13 matches, playing 489 minutes while recording one goal and one assist.
- Freshman Abby Forsgren has started every match for the Tigers, playing 1,135 of 1,170 possible minutes. She has contributed four goals and six assists while recording 35 shots, including 18 on goal.
- Transfer Natalie Dvorakova has played 289 minutes across nine matches, making two starts and scoring her first collegiate goal.
- Freshman Maira Boosman has played a significant role in the Tigers' back line, starting 11 of 13 matches and totaling 920 minutes.
Several returning Tigers have also taken on expanded roles and increased their production this season:
- Sophomore goalkeeper Ava Galani has taken over the starting role in net, playing 1,160 of 1,170 possible minutes while recording five shutouts (second most in the conference).
- Sophomore Ava Gaida has made 10 starts this season after entering the campaign without a collegiate start. She has now appeared in 24 career matches.
- Redshirt freshman Grayson Williams made her collegiate debut this season and earned her first career start at No. 8 Ohio State. Williams later scored her first two collegiate goals in a span of just 16 minutes off the bench at Florida Atlantic.

For the Tigers' most recent and up-to-date schedule, click HERE.

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