Memphis women's soccer wins AAC, heads to NCAA Tournament with 15-game win streak
Memphis women's soccer did it again.
The Tigers (18-1) won their third-straight American Athletic Conference Tournament championship on Sunday, beating SMU 2-1 behind a first-half goal from freshman Ashley Henderson and their patented defensive solidity.
Memphis, ranked No. 8 in the country, won its 15th straight game to win the trophy. It's the latest honor for the Tigers, who are in the midst of a dream season that includes the best defensive record in the country and already included the regular-season AAC title.
SMU (11-6-1) forced a kick save from Tigers goalkeeper Kaylie Bierman that went off the post and served as the game's best early chance. But Memphis grew into the game and found the breakthrough in the 40th minute.
The Tigers pushed the ball into the SMU penalty area, where Momo Nakao won the ball back after a turnover. It fell right to Henderson, who curled it into the far corner past Mustangs goalkeeper Samantha Estrada.
Memphis added an insurance goal in the 72nd minute, when Delaney Tellex crossed it into the path of Mya Jones, who deflected it into the net.
SMU pulled one back in the 79th minute when Truth Byars' shot off a set piece deflected into the net. It was a frantic finish, and the Mustangs continued to threaten, but Memphis held on for the win.
"Today we just battled," Jones said on the ESPN broadcast after the game. "And it kind of showed in our performance. From minute one to minute 90, I think we were just together.
It was the second-straight year where Memphis beat SMU in the conference title game. Last year, the Tigers won 1-0 in extra time, but this was much more straightforward.
The Tigers lost a non-conference game at Alabama on Aug. 27 but have been perfect since then.
Memphis entered Sunday's game as the best defensive team in the country, allowing just .333 goals per game.
The Tigers started the AAC Tournament with a bit of a wobble on Tuesday, conceding a first half goal before scoring twice in the second half to survive and advance. Memphis beat Charlotte 2-0 on Thursday to earn a place in the title game.
Next is the NCAA Tournament, where the Tigers won two games last season before falling in penalties to Arkansas.
Memphis will host LSU in the first round of the tournament.
"At the end of the day, the connection we have with this team is just incredible," Bierman said. "And I think we just keep it going."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis women's soccer wins AAC, heads to NCAA Tournament
