Kitagawa’s Heroic Brace Secures 2-1 Victory for No. 8 Tigers Against Florida Atlantic – University of Memphis Athletics

Memphis, Tennessee – On a thrilling Sunday night, Memphis midfielder Ai Kitagawa scored twice, leading the Tigers to a 2-1 victory over Florida Atlantic. This win marks the eighth-ranked Tigers’ fifth straight victory, solidifying their spot in the upcoming American Conference tournament starting November 3 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

Head coach Brooks Monaghan emphasized the importance of hard work. “You can’t just put on a Memphis jersey and expect to win,” he said. “Florida Atlantic played much better than their record suggests.” The team had a quiet first half but showed determination and skill in the second half.

Kitagawa’s first goal came just two minutes into the second half. With a clever run, she finished smoothly with her left foot, assisted by Flavie Dubé and Elise Perron. This goal was her eighth of the season, tying her for second in the conference. Interestingly, the Tigers remain one of the only unbeaten teams this season, along with Notre Dame.

Florida Atlantic, despite struggling with only three shots, managed to equalize in the 69th minute. Madison Micioni scored with a well-placed header off a corner kick. For a moment, the Tigers seemed like they might settle for a draw. But Kitagawa delivered a dramatic second goal in the 89th minute, securing the win for Memphis.

Memphis will rest on Thursday before facing East Carolina in a rematch of the last conference tournament final. This game will take place on October 19 in Greenville, North Carolina.

In recent trends, the growth of women’s soccer is evident, with increasing viewership and support for collegiate matches. A survey by the NCAA found that interest in women’s sports, particularly soccer, has surged by 25% in recent years. This shows a bright future not just for Memphis but for women’s athletics overall.

As a fan or supporter, you can keep up with the Tigers by checking their official site and following their social media channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.



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