It would appear coach Brooks Monaghan’s Lady Tigers appreciate home cooking this time of year. Playing in the first NCAA tournament game on Memphis soil (at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex), the Tigers made easy work of the UT-Martin Skyhawks, 7-0. In the program’s fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament, the Tigers finally captured their first victory on the road to the College Cup.
Star forward Christabel Oduro — Conference USA’s Offensive Player of the Year — had a hat trick with more than 10 minutes left to play in the first half, then scored a goal of the Pele variety in the 23rd minute of the second half. Receiving the ball on the left side of the penalty area, Oduro flipped it in the air, pivoted to her left, then — falling down — drove the ball with her right foot into the back of the Skyhawk net. Price of admission for the near-capacity crowd. The four tallies give Oduro 16 goals for the season.
Also scoring for Memphis were Averi Hallman (twice) and Rasheeda Ansari. Tiger goalie Elise Kuhar-Pitters earned her school-record 15th shutout of the season.
Memphis (22-0-1) will next play on Friday night against a foe local basketball fans will relish: the Louisville Cardinals. Still to be determined is the site, which may well be back at the Mike Rose Complex.
