Kitagawa's Olimpico Sends Memphis Past North Texas, Into American Conference Semifinals

Sunday, November 8

Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

7:15 p.m.

University of Memphis

12-3-3, 8-0-2

(8) North Texas

6-7-6, 2-3-5

Team	1	2	Final F
North Texas	0	0	0
Memphis	1	0	1

Match Notes

Nov 08, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – The top-seeded Memphis women's soccer team opened its 2026 American Conference Championship campaign with a 1-0 victory over No. 8 seed North Texas on Sunday night at Premier Sports Campus, advancing to the tournament semifinals behind an early goal from junior Ai Kitagawa.

Memphis (12-3-3) extended its unbeaten streak to 12 consecutive matches and will face No. 4 seed Rice in Wednesday night's semifinal at 6 p.m. CT.

Kitagawa provided the decisive moment in the eighth minute, curling a perfectly placed corner kick directly into the back of the net for her team-leading 10th goal of the season and 26th of her Memphis career.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis wasted little time finding the breakthrough, striking in the eighth minute when junior Ai Kitagawa delivered a perfectly placed corner kick that curled directly into the net. The unassisted goal gave the Tigers an early 1-0 advantage and marked Kitagawa's 10th goal of the campaign.
The Tigers continued to apply pressure throughout the opening half, outshooting North Texas 11-5 and putting three shots on target. Memphis carried its one-goal advantage into the halftime break.
Memphis maintained its offensive pressure after the intermission, recording six second-half shots while limiting the Mean Green to just two attempts. North Texas goalkeeper Sarah Margaret Seabrook made three saves in the final 45 minutes to keep the deficit at one.
The Tigers' back line held firm down the stretch, preventing North Texas from finding an equalizer. Sophomore goalkeeper Ava Galani recorded four saves as Memphis secured the 1-0 shutout victory and punched its ticket to the American Conference semifinals.

NOTABLES

Memphis improved to 12-3-3 overall and advanced to the American Conference Championship semifinals.
- The Tigers extended their unbeaten streak to 12 consecutive matches, dating back to their last defeat on Sept. 6 at No. 8 Ohio State.
- The Tigers are seeking their first American Conference Tournament championship since 2023.
Junior Ai Kitagawa netted the match-winning goal in the eighth minute, scoring directly from a corner kick.
- The goal was her team-leading 10th of the season and 26th of her Memphis career.
- Kitagawa now leads the Tigers with 28 points this season, coming from 10 goals and eight assists.
- The American Conference Midfielder of the Year finished with three shots, including one on goal.
- The goal marked her third game-winner of the season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Ava Galani recorded her seventh shutout of the season, making four saves in the victory.
- Galani improved her record to 12-3-3 this season.
- The Tigers have now recorded nine shutouts as a team this season.
Memphis held a commanding advantage in the offensive statistics, outshooting North Texas 17-7, including a 6-4 edge in shots on goal.
- The Tigers held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
- Memphis has now outshot its opponents 329-121 this season, including a 151-60 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Tigers have outscored their opponents 37-15 through 18 matches.
Sophomore Taliah Brooks led all players with five shots, including two on goal.
- Junior Evelyn Mackay and Kitagawa each recorded three shots, with Mackay putting two on target.
Ava Galani, Ava Gaida, Yuna Nagata, Mihiro Furuya, Evelyn Mackay, Ally Casey, Abby Forsgren, Ai Kitagawa and Maira Boosman each played all 90 minutes in the victory.
Memphis improved to 12-0-3 this season when scoring first and 10-0-1 when leading at halftime.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Half:

8' | Memphis 1 – 0 North Texas – Ai Kitagawa (10)

Second Half:

Full-Time

UP NEXT

The Tigers advance to the semifinals of the American Conference and will take on No. 4 seed Rice on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast 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.