Memphis women’s soccer season ends with 3-0 loss to Pitt in third round of NCAA Tournament

The Memphis women’s soccer team suffered a 3-0 loss to Pitt in the third round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday.

This loss ended the Tigers’ season in the Sweet 16 game, exactly 364 days after their 2022 season also concluded on the same field in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Despite winning 17 consecutive games, No. 8 Memphis finished the season with a 20-2 record.

After the game, Memphis coach Brooks Monaghan expressed his emotions and began the compartmentalization process, stating, “Right now, it just hurts. Haven’t felt this in a long time. But trying not to focus on this one day, but the whole last three or four months.”

Playing amidst heavy rainfall and on a soggy field, No. 11 Pitt (17-5-1) broke the scoreless tie shortly after half time, in the 51st minute, with a Keera Melenhorst goal. The Panthers secured another goal in the 75th minute and added a third in the 87th minute, effectively ending Memphis’ season.

Memphis entered the game having allowed just 10 goals all season. Coach Monaghan credited Pitt’s athleticism, saying, “I think the athleticism of Pitt took over at times. You’ve got to do some things really well in certain matchups. So, that is (a) credit to Pitt.”

The Tigers’ lone other loss this season was a 2-1 defeat at Alabama on Aug. 27. This defeat marked the first time they were shut out since Sept. 15, 2022. Memphis finished with seven shots on goal compared to Pitt’s 10.

Pitt now advances to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history, where it will face Florida State in the next round.

For further details, read the full article on Memphis Commercial Appeal.

MEMPHIS MEN’S SOCCER: Historic season ends with NCAA Tournament 2nd-round loss vs UNC

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at [email protected] or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.