Markovic Scores Twice in Three Minutes as Tigers Take Down UTSA, 4-0

Thursday, October 22

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

9-3-2, 6-0-1

UTSA

6-4-5, 2-3-2

Team	1	2	Final F
UTSA	0	0	0
Memphis	3	1	4

Match Notes

Oct 22, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis women's soccer team continued its dominant run in American Conference play Thursday night, defeating UTSA 4-0 behind a first-half brace from Zerina Markovic and goals from Ally Casey and Marika Martineau.

The Tigers (9-3-2, 6-0-1 American) remain the only unbeaten team in conference play and became the first team to clinch a spot in the American Conference Tournament. Memphis has now outscored its opponents 21-2 over its last eight matches and extended its conference unbeaten streak to 36 consecutive matches, dating back to the 2022 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis wasted little time opening the scoring, finding the back of the net in the seventh minute when junior defender Ally Casey made a perfectly timed run behind the UTSA defense off a set piece. Junior Ai Kitagawa delivered a well-placed pass that Casey slid past the Roadrunners' goalkeeper for her first goal of the season and fourth of her career.
The Tigers doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when Kitagawa collected the ball in midfield and played a perfectly weighted pass to sophomore Zerina Markovic, who unleashed a powerful strike into the upper-left corner for her second goal of the season.
Just minutes later, Markovic struck again after junior Yuna Nagata fired a long-range effort off the crossbar. Markovic pounced on the rebound and tucked away her third goal of the season, giving Memphis a commanding 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
Memphis continued to control the contest in the second half before freshman Marika Martineau added a fourth goal in the 81st minute. Junior Mihiro Furuya made a run down the left flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the box, where Martineau beat her defender to the ball and finished for her first collegiate goal.

NOTABLES

Memphis has outscored its opponents 21-2 over its last eight matches, recording its fourth consecutive victory and remaining unbeaten in American Conference play.
The Tigers outshot UTSA 23-4 and now hold a 262-91 advantage over their opponents in shots this season, including a 120-46 edge in shots on goal.
Zerina Markovic made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring twice in the first half while playing just 32 minutes.
- The sophomore recorded her first career multi-goal performance, bringing her season and career total to three goals, all coming this season.
Ally Casey contributed on both sides of the ball, opening the scoring with her first goal of the season and fourth of her career while playing 83 minutes.
- The junior helped anchor a Memphis backline that limited UTSA to just four shots and one shot on goal.
Canadian freshman Marika Martineau recorded a career night, netting her first collegiate goal while setting career highs in shots (3), shots on goal (2) and minutes played (38).
Ai Kitagawa continued her impressive playmaking campaign, recording two assists to bring her season total to seven and career total to 18.
- The junior has now moved into the top 10 in program history in both career assists and points.
Yuna Nagata nearly found her first collegiate goal when her long-range effort rattled the crossbar in the first half. Markovic finished the rebound to give Nagata her second assist of the season and fourth of her career.
Mihiro Furuya provided the assist on Memphis' fourth goal of the night, bringing her season total to two assists and career total to six.
Ava Galani earned her sixth shutout of the season, making one save while facing just four shots.
- The sophomore ranks second in the American Conference in shutouts and has now recorded seven clean sheets in her two-year Memphis career.
Ava Galani, Ava Gaida, Yuna Nagata, Evelyn Mackay and Maira Boosman each played all 90 minutes.
Memphis improves to 9-3-2 overall and 6-0-1 in American Conference play, becoming the first team to clinch a berth in the conference tournament while remaining the league's last unbeaten team.
The Tigers extended their American Conference unbeaten streak to 36 consecutive matches.
- Memphis' last conference defeat came on Oct. 27, 2022, at SMU.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Half:

7' | Memphis 1 – 0 UTSA – Ally Casey (1) (Assist: Ai Kitagawa)

38' | Memphis 2 – 0 UTSA – Zerina Markovic (2) (Assist: Ai Kitagawa)

40' | Memphis 3 – 0 UTSA – Zerina Markovic (3) (Assist: Yuna Nagata)

Second Half:

81' | Memphis 4 – 0 UTSA – Marika Martineau (1) (Assist: Mihiro Furuya)

Full-Time

UP NEXT

The Tigers will be back in action on Sunday, Oct. 25 when they travel to North Texas. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Denton, Texas. The match will be available on ESPN+.

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

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.