Nov. 8, 2009

• Championship Central

DALLAS - Three is a magic number as Memphis claimed its third-straight Conference USA title with a 3-0 victory against UCF in Sunday's championship match on a mild day at SMU's Westcott Field. The third-seeded Tigers (16-6-0) won their third tournament match in a row, advancing to the finals with wins over SMU and Colorado College.

"I am extremely proud," head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "We were the underdog coming in since we had to play three games. These kids continue to amaze me and it all points back to their character. To win a championship is amazing, but to do it three years in a row leaves me at a loss for words."

Sophomore forward Lizzy Simonin was credited with the game-winner in the 58th minute as she put the Tigers on the scoreboard first. Simonin scored from just inside the box off a pass from junior midfielder Vendula Strnadova.

Less than 10 minutes later, freshman forward Averi Hallman scored her second goal of the season after intercepting a pass about 30 yards out, then Strnadova added the final tally in the 73rd minute. Memphis picked up its school-record 12th shutout of the season. Freshman Taylor Isenhower was named tournament Offensive MVP.

Memphis goalkeeper Elise Kuhar-Pitters was named Defensive MVP and made four saves on the afternoon. Neither team was able to make a big threat in the first half of play as Kuhar-Pitters nor UCF sophomore keeper Aline Reis were credited with a save in the first 45 mintues of play.

UCF (16-4-1), who won the C-USA regular season title for the third time in the last five years, had its 10-match win streak snapped with the loss. The Knights last defeat was against Memphis on Sept. 27. Lauren Halbert and Becca Thomas, who combined for UCF's goal in its 1-0 semifinal win over UAB, were named to the all-tournament team along with junior Amanda Martorana.

The complete all-tournament team is listed below:

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Taylor Isenhower, Memphis (Offensive MVP)
Elise Kuhar-Pitters, Memphis (Defensive MVP)
Tori Dalton, Memphis
Lizzy Hildebrandt, Memphis
Lauren Halbert, UCF
Amanda Martorana, UCF
Becca Thomas, UCF
Brittney Lyman, Colorado College
Lauren Talbot, Colorado College
Kate Blankenship, UAB
Marie Yempuku, UAB

• FACEBOOK
• RSS
• TWITTER
• DAILY UPDATE
• B-LINE

Which C-USA player will have the biggest impact in Super Bowl XLVI?