Kelly Nets First Goal of Season as No. 23 Tigers Draw Houston

Thursday, September 3

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

2-2-1, 0-0-0

Houston

2-1-3, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Houston	1	0	1
Memphis	1	0	1

Kelly Nets First Goal of Season as No. 23 Tigers Draw Houston

Sep 03, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis women's soccer team controlled much of the action Thursday night but settled for a 1-1 draw with Houston at the Billy J. Murphy Track & Soccer Complex.

Ellis Kelly opened the scoring in the 10th minute with her first goal of the season and sixth of her career, while freshman Abby Forsgren picked up her first collegiate assist. Houston answered eight minutes later through Adelhia Ghonda, and neither side was able to break the deadlock over the final 72 minutes.

The Tigers (2-2-1) held a commanding 21-5 advantage in shots, including a 12-1 margin in the second half, and put 10 attempts on target compared to three for the Cougars (2-1-3). Memphis also earned 11 corner kicks while limiting Houston to just one.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis struck first in the 10th minute. Forsgren's initial effort was saved by Houston goalkeeper Sierra McCluer before Kelly followed up with a header into the bottom-right corner. The goal was Kelly's first of the season and sixth of her career, while Forsgren earned her first collegiate assist.
Houston responded in the 18th minute when a Memphis mistake allowed Ghonda to find the back of the net and level the match at 1-1.
The Tigers pushed for the go-ahead goal throughout the second half, outshooting the Cougars 12-1 over the final 45 minutes.
Memphis put four second-half attempts on frame, but McCluer kept the Tigers off the board to preserve the draw.
The Tigers held Houston without a shot on goal in the second half.

NOTABLES

Kelly's 10th-minute goal was her first of the season and sixth of her career. She finished the night with three shots, including two on goal.
Forsgren recorded her first collegiate assist while setting career highs with four shots and three shots on goal. The freshman has now recorded a point in back-to-back matches after scoring her first collegiate goal at Ole Miss.
Taliah Brooks fired a career-high five shots to lead all players.
Memphis outshot Houston 21-5 and held a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Tigers' 21 shots are their most in a match this season, while their 10 shots on goal are tied for their season high.
The Tigers were especially dominant after halftime, holding a 12-1 advantage in shots and a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.
Ava Galani, Ava Gaida, Yuna Nagata, Evelyn Mackay, Ally Casey, Abby Forsgren and Finley Lavin each played the full 90 minutes.
- Mackay and Lavin have played all 450 minutes for the Tigers this season, while Galani has been in goal for all 450 minutes.
- Forsgren has played 418 of a possible 450 minutes through the first five matches of her collegiate career.
- Freshman Neko Michell made her collegiate debut, playing 26 minutes.
Galani made two saves in goal as Memphis moved to 2-2-1 on the season.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Half:

10' | Memphis 1 – 0 Houston – Ellis Kelly (1) (Assist: Abby Forsgren)

18' | Memphis 1 – 1 Houston – Adelhia Ghonda (2)

Second Half:

Full-Time

Memphis will be back in action on Sunday, September 6, when they travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on No. 8 Ohio State. The match will be broadcast on B1G+.

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.