Memphis Claims Three Points with 2-0 Win in Conference Opener vs. Rice

Thursday, September 17

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

4-3-1, 1-0-0

Rice

2-4-3, 0-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Rice	0	0	0
Memphis	1	1	2

Match Notes

Memphis Claims Three Points with 2-0 Win in Conference Opener vs. Rice

Sep 17, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis women's soccer team opened American Conference play with three points Thursday night, earning a 2-0 victory over Rice at the Track & Soccer Complex.

Freshman Abby Forsgren opened the scoring in the 21st minute, finishing off a run and feed from Ellis Kelly for her second goal of the season. Ai Kitagawa added an insurance goal in the 81st minute, with Taliah Brooks and Yuna Nagata picking up assists.

The Tigers (4-3-1, 1-0-0 American) outshot the Owls 18-11, including a 10-4 advantage in the second half. Memphis put six shots on goal, while Ava Galani made four saves to secure the clean sheet.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis broke through in the 21st minute when Kelly made a run down the right flank before cutting the ball back to Forsgren, who lifted a perfectly placed shot over the goalkeeper and under the crossbar to put the Tigers ahead, 1-0.
Rice generated seven shots in the opening half, but Memphis took its one-goal advantage into the break.
The Tigers controlled the attacking chances after halftime, outshooting the Owls 10-4 over the final 45 minutes.
Memphis doubled its advantage in the 81st minute when Kitagawa's attempted cross made its way through traffic and into the back of the net. Brooks and Nagata were credited with assists on the goal.
The Tigers kept Rice off the scoreboard over the final nine minutes to secure the 2-0 victory and three points in their American Conference opener.

NOTABLES

Kitagawa returned to the starting lineup and played all 90 minutes, recording five shots and scoring her fourth goal of the season.
- The goal was the 20th of her career, making her the 15th player in Memphis history to reach the 20-goal mark.
Forsgren continued her strong freshman campaign, recording three shots, including two on goal, and scoring her second career goal.
- The freshman played the full 90 minutes for the fifth time this season.
- Forsgren has played 685 of the 720 possible minutes this season.
Galani recorded her third shutout of the season and fourth of her career, making four saves in the victory.
Kelly finished with five shots and picked up the assist on Forsgren's opening goal.
- The assist was her second of the season and sixth of her career.
- Kelly leads the team in shots with 28.
Yuna Nagata recorded her first assist of the season and third of her career on Kitagawa's late goal.
Mihiro Furuya played the full 90 minutes for the first time in her career, finishing with two shots.
Brooks provided an assist and recorded one shot on goal in 59 minutes off the bench. The assist was her first of the season and second of her career.
Galani, Ava Gaida, Nagata, Furuya, Evelyn Mackay, Ally Casey, Forsgren, Kitagawa and Maira Boosman each played the full 90 minutes.
- Memphis used just three substitutions (Marika Martineau, Zerina Markovic and Brooks), the least in any game this season.
Memphis improved to 4-3-1 overall and 1-0-0 in American Conference play with the victory.
- The Tigers extended their American Conference unbeaten streak to 30 consecutive matches, the last time Memphis lost a conference match was Oct. 27, 2022 at SMU.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Half:

21' | Memphis 1 – 0 Rice – Abby Forsgren (2) (Assist: Ellis Kelly)

Second Half:

81' | Memphis 2 – 0 Rice – Ai Kitagawa (4) (Assist: Taliah Brooks, Yuna Nagata)

Full-Time

Memphis will be back in action next week when they hit the road to face South Florida at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24 before staying in Florida to take on Florida Atlantic at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. The match against South Florida will be broadcast on ESPNU while the Florida Atlantic match will be 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.