MEMPHIS, Tenn β Fresh off of winning their third straight American Athletic Conference championship, the Memphis Tigers women's soccer team are heading back to the NCAA Tournament. Memphis (18-1, 9-0) will play LSU in the first round of the tournament.
The game will be in Memphis at the Billy J. Murphy Soccer/Track and Field Complex, the date and time are still to be determined.
Memphis rattled off 15 straight wins, including three AAC tournament wins and are now the eighth best team in the country, according to the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Memphis beat SMU, 2-1, on Sunday to claim their third consecutive conference championship.
The team has been dominant, nearly sweeping the AAC yearly awards. Nine Tigers were named to all-conference teams. Offensively, Mya Jones leads the way. The conference's Offensive Player of the Year is top of the AAC with 30 points, split between an even 10 goals and 10 assists. Memphis owns three of the top four spots in total points scored. Saorla Miller is second with 24 points (11 goals, two assists), Anna Hauer is fourth with 19 (eight goals, three assists).
Kaylie Bierman and Haylee Spray anchor the defense. Bierman is the reigning AAC Goalkeeper of the Year, while Spray is Co-Defensive Player of the Year. The Tigers led the conference in goals allowed and goals against average.
Memphis advanced all the way to the Sweet 16 in 2022. They upset then No. 10 Saint Louis, 1-0 in the first round and followed that win with a 4-0 blowout of Mississippi State. They fell to Arkansas in penalty kicks after a thrilling 3-3 tie after regulation.