Kitagawa's Late Winner Lifts Memphis Past UAB, 2-1, to Complete Fourth Straight Unbeaten Conference Season

Tuesday, November 3

Birmingham, Ala.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

11-3-3, 8-0-2

UAB

9-8-1, 6-4-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Memphis	1	1	2
UAB	0	1	1

Match Notes

Nov 03, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Memphis women's soccer team capped off its fourth consecutive unbeaten American Conference regular season Tuesday night, defeating UAB 2-1 at PNC Field behind goals from freshman Abby Forsgren and junior Ai Kitagawa.

Memphis (11-3-3, 8-0-2 American) extended its conference unbeaten streak to 39 consecutive matches, dating back to the 2022 season. After securing their fourth straight American Conference regular-season championship last Friday, Memphis will enter next week's American Conference Tournament as the No. 1 seed.

Forsgren opened the scoring late in the first half with her fifth goal of the season before Kitagawa delivered the game-winner in the 77th minute, netting her ninth goal of the campaign and 25th of her Memphis career.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis controlled the opening half, outshooting UAB 10-1 before breaking through in the 42nd minute. Junior Ai Kitagawa found freshman Abby Forsgren, who unleashed a long-range strike that tucked into the upper-left corner of the net to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
UAB found the equalizer in the 59th minute after being awarded a penalty kick. Lailah Stewart stepped up to the spot and converted her seventh goal of the season to bring the Blazers level at 1-1.
The Tigers responded in the 77th minute when Kitagawa fired a long-distance shot into the back of the net to restore Memphis' lead. The unassisted strike marked her ninth goal of the season and 25th of her Memphis career.
Memphis held firm over the final 13 minutes to secure the 2-1 victory, completing its fourth consecutive unbeaten American Conference regular season and carrying momentum into the conference tournament.

NOTABLES

Memphis extended its American Conference unbeaten streak to 39 consecutive matches, completing its fourth straight conference regular season without a loss.
- The Tigers' last conference defeat came on Oct. 27, 2022, at SMU.
- Memphis finished the regular season 8-0-2 in American Conference play, remaining the league's only unbeaten team.
- The Tigers will enter the American Conference Tournament as the No. 1 seed after clinching their fourth consecutive regular-season championship last Friday.
Junior Ai Kitagawa led the Tigers with three points, recording the game-winning goal and assisting on Memphis' opening score.
- Kitagawa's goal was her ninth of the season and 25th of her Memphis career.
- The junior finished with a match-high seven shots, including four on goal.
- Kitagawa now has eight assists on the season, tying freshman Abby Forsgren for the team lead.
- Her three-point performance brings her season total to 26 points.
Freshman Abby Forsgren continued her impressive debut campaign, scoring her fifth goal of the season.
- The freshman now has 18 points on the year, coming from five goals and eight assists.
- Forsgren finished the night with three shots, including two on goal.
Memphis dominated the offensive statistics, outshooting UAB 16-5, including an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Tigers also held a 9-1 edge in corner kicks.
- Memphis finished the regular season having outshot its opponents 312-114, including a 145-56 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Tigers outscored their opponents 36-15 during the regular season.
Ava Galani, Yuna Nagata, Mihiro Furuya, Evelyn Mackay, Ally Casey, Abby Forsgren, Ai Kitagawa and Maira Boosman each played all 90 minutes.
- Galani recorded two saves in the victory, improving her record to 11-3-3.
Memphis improves to 11-3-3 overall and 8-0-2 in American Conference play, finishing the regular season on a 10-match unbeaten streak.
- The Tigers have not lost a match since Sept. 6 at No. 8 Ohio State.
- Memphis finished conference play with six shutouts and outscored its American Conference opponents 25-4.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Half:

42' | Memphis 1 – 0 UAB – Abby Forsgren (5) (Assist: Ai Kitagawa)

Second Half:

59' | Memphis 1 – 1 UAB – Lailah Stewart (7 (Pen.)

77' | Memphis 2 – 1 UAB – Ai Kitagawa (9)

Full-Time

UP NEXT

The Tigers will now shift focus to the American Conference Tournament in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. The first round of the tournament will take place on Sunday, Nov. 8.

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.