No. 21 Memphis Opens 2026 Season With Shutout of Kennesaw State

Wednesday, August 12

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Kennesaw State

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Kennesaw State	0	0	0
Memphis	2	0	2

No. 21 Memphis Opens 2026 Season With Shutout of Kennesaw State

Aug 12, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The No. 21 ranked Memphis women's soccer team opened the 2026 season with a 2-0 victory over Kennesaw State on Wednesday night at the Track & Soccer Complex, extending its home unbeaten streak to 41 matches.

Junior midfielder Ai Kitagawa provided both goals for the Tigers (1-0-0), finding the back of the net twice in the first half to tie her career high for goals in a match. The brace brought Kitagawa's career total to 18 goals.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis controlled the match from start to finish, outshooting Kennesaw State (0-1-0), 18-1, with a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal. The Tigers also earned all eight corner kicks in the contest.
Kitagawa broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. After Memphis forced a turnover in the attacking third, the midfielder found space and slotted a low effort into the bottom corner to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.
Memphis doubled its lead just before halftime after Zerina Markovic was brought down inside the penalty area. Kitagawa stepped to the spot and converted the ensuing penalty kick in the 42nd minute, sending the Tigers into the break with a 2-0 advantage.
The Tigers continued to control proceedings after halftime, firing nine more shots while holding the Owls without an attempt over the final 45 minutes. Kennesaw State goalkeeper Charlee Bernal made eight saves to keep the Memphis advantage at two.

NOTABLES

Ava Galani, Evelyn Mackay and Finley Lavin each played the full 90 minutes for the Tigers.
- Galani made one save and earned her second shutout victory of her career.
- Mackay surpassed 2,000 minutes played in her Memphis career, making her the fourth active player to reach the milestone (Ally Casey, Kitagawa and Lavin are the other three).
The clean sheet continued Memphis' defensive success from a season ago, when the Tigers recorded 13 shutouts.
Seven Tigers made their collegiate debuts in the victory: Abby Forsgren, Maira Boosman, Miyu Morota, Ella Etienne, Sakura Thomas, Marika Martineau and Grayson Williams. Markovic and Natalie Dvorakova also made their Memphis debuts.
Kitagawa led all players with five shots, putting four on target, while Ellis Kelly and Boosman each recorded three attempts.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Half:

29' | Memphis 1 – 0 Kennesaw State – Ai Kitagawa

41' | Memphis 2 – 0 Kennesaw State – Ai Kitagawa

Full-Time

Memphis will remain at home for its next match, welcoming SEC opponent Alabama to the Track & Soccer Complex on Saturday at 7 p.m.

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.