PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The first week of conference play brought many storylines to the forefront and sets up an exciting week two for the American Athletic Conference women's soccer programs.
Memphis enters the national rankings for the first time this season and debut at No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. They are also to the top team considered just outside of the top-25 in the TopDrawerSoccer ranking. It is the second time this season The American boasts two ranked teams when UCF started the season at No. 16/15 and USF came in at RV/18.
Both No. 20/RV Memphis and SMU went 2-0 in matches last week to sit atop the league standings. Four other American teams earned wins for three conference points while No. 19/16 USF and UCF had off weeks in league play.
Memphis picked up its nation-leading 10th shutout of the season and with seven more goals last week the Tigers now rank fifth in the country with 31 scores.
Memphis is also up to 13th overall in the latest NCAA RPI rankings and are one of just five teams nationally with double-digit wins. The Tigers are joined by USF (No. 26) and Cincinnati (No. 35) in the top-50 of the RPI.
USF, which has been in the top-25 of both polls for the past five weeks, played local NAIA foe Florida College after Hurricane Florence canceled two games for the Bulls the week prior. Thanks to a four-goal game by junior Evelyne Viens, she now leads the nation with 1.50 goals per game and holds nearly a point-per-game advantage as the country's leader with 3.50 points per match. Her numbers have helped USF to be the top scoring offense in the country (3.83) and top point-scorers in the land (10.83).
Week 7 starts with an early Thursday game as UCF opens its American schedule at Temple at 3:30 p.m. ET. USF also starts league play at UConn at 7 p.m. ET. Houston at ECU and SMU at Cincinnati round out Thursday's action.
On Sunday, the Knights also travel to UConn for a game that will be broadcast live on the American Digital Network at Noon ET. Houston at Cincinnati, USF at Temple and SMU at ECU kickoff at 1 p.m. ET.
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