Oct. 31, 2008

Complete Oct. 31 Women's Soccer Notebook and Statistics in PDF Format

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Memphis closed out its regular season with a 2-1 victory over host UAB Thursday to earn at least a share of the Conference USA regular season title. This is the second year in a row that the Tigers have won the C-USA regular season championship.

Memphis now plays the waiting game to see if they are outright champions. If East Carolina beats visiting Marshall this afternoon, the Pirates also grab a share of the C-USA regular season championship. With a tie or a Marshall victory, the Tigers hold the outright 2008 C-USA title and the No. 1 seed heading into the C-USA Championships.

Less than three minutes into the Thursday's contest, UAB senior MF Caitlin Marple scored to help the Blazers jump out to a 1-0 lead. The Memphis defense did not give up and was steady for the rest of the half. Freshman Lizzy Simonin would have an opportunity for a penalty kick goal with seven minutes remaining in the first half, but was denied by Kate Blankenship, the Blazer keeper.

The Tigers put seven shots on goal in the first period, and with 29 seconds remaining in the first half, they finally connected. Sophomore F Ashley Berra crossed a beautiful ball into the box for freshman forward and reigning C-USA Player of the Week Simonin who one-timed it into the back of the net sending the game into halftime with the score knotted at 1-1. The freshman has scored in four straight games bringing her season total to eight goals.

The Tigers came out of halftime with momentum and were able to notch another score at the 49 minute mark off of junior midfielder Laura Laufenberg's corner kick which traveled to the far post and met up with senior midfielder Emiko Schwab as she headed it to the top near corner for her third goal of the 2008 season.

The defense remained relentless for the rest of the contest relying heavily on the play of sophomore defender Brittany Hance. Redshirt freshman GK Elise Kuhar-Pitters returned in goal tonight with her first appearance since she started against UCF on Sept. 28. She played all 90 minutes in goal tonight and registered four saves in the game. Her record at the end of this regular season is 5-3-1.