PROVIDENCE, R.I. – While much is to be decided in the American Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Championship field, three teams have clinched spots with the No. 20/17-ranked USF Bulls have earned at least a share of the regular season title. No. 24/- UCF and RV/22 Memphis have also clinched spots and with one game each left on the schedule both team still have a chance to grab a share of the regular season crown.
Sunday, October 21
No. 20/17 USF 5, SMU 1
The nation's top goal-scorer, Evelyne Viens, once again made program history when she recorded her sixth brace of the season to break the USF record for season goals with 17.
USF extended its win streak to six straight games, and its home win streak to 13-straight when it defeated SMU, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon. The win was the greatest margin that any team has defeated SMU since its 4-0 loss to UCF in 2017.
The Canadian striker, Viens, gave USF an early lead over the Mustangs when she scored a quick goal off a rebound. Junior Andrea Hauksdottir served in a corner that found the head of junior defender Brianna Blethen who took the shot. The SMU keeper batted the ball out, but Viens netted a goal with a low shot from the left side of the 6-yard box.
For the sixth time this season, Viens scored two goals in a match. Her second goal was her 17th this season, the most of any player in USF history. The record was previously set at 16 by Kristine Edner in 1998, and tied by Viens in her freshman season in 2016. Viens converted on a set piece served in from the left side by senior Jordan Tuttle (Yardley, Pa.).
USF is now set up for home site deciding match against UCF on Friday at 7 p.m., on the American Digital Network Plus. SMU also has a chance to clinch a postseason spot when the Mustangs take on Houston on Friday night at 8 p.m.
RV/22 Memphis 1, Temple 0
Memphis women's soccer posted its 11
thshutout of the season after a 1-0 victory against Temple on a windy Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.
Memphis found the offense it needed within the first two minutes of the contest for a quick score.
Serena Dolan brought the ball up the left side of the pitch and sent a pass up the field, where a dashing
Clarissa Larisey split the defense and pushed a shot in the right side of the net.
The Tigers continued their pressure, posting 11 shots in the first half while limiting Temple to just a single shot attempt at the break.
Temple outshot Memphis by an 8-7 margin in the second half, but the Tigers' defense stood tall to preserve the shutout. In goal,
Elizabeth Moberg tallied four saves, with three coming in the last 45 minutes.
Memphis returns to the pitch on Friday night against Tulsa needing a victory and a UCF win clinch a share of the regular season title. Temple hosts UConn Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The Owls are currently tied for the fifth-spot in the standings.
No. 24/- UCF 3, Houston 0
A trio of second half goals led No. 24 UCF women’s soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Houston on Sunday afternoon at the UCF Soccer Complex.
The Knights (9-5-1, 6-2 The American) were locked in a scoreless battle with Houston (7-9-2, 3-4-1 The American) until the 59th minute. Carrie Lawrence’s corner kick found the head of Stefanie Sanders, who sent the ball in the back of the net to extend her team lead to 12 goals in 2018.
Dina Orschmann netted a brace in the victory, scoring in the 70th and 88th minutes.
Vera Varis collected three saves to earn her fourth shutout victory of the season.
The victory clinched a berth for the Knights in the 2018 American Athletic Conference Championship.
The Knights close out their regular season on Oct. 26, heading to Tampa to face No. 20/217 USF at 7p.m., live on the American Digital Network in championship site-deciding match. Houston hosts SMU the same day at 8 p.m., with a potential postseason berth on the line.
Tulsa 3, UConn 0
Valiree Morris had two goals and Anna Williams added the third for the Tulsa women's soccer team as they dominated UConn, 3-0, on Sunday afternoon at the Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in Storrs, Conn. The Golden Hurricane moved to 7-9-1 on the season and 3-5 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Huskies fell to 3-13 overall and 1-6 in the league.
Morris put Tulsa on the board at the 6:13 mark as she headed in a cross from Neha Igwe. Morris then scored again in the 20th minute as she picked up the ball that was bouncing around in the box, settled it and shot from 12 yards out. Her shot went from left to right, bounced off the post and went in.
Williams put TU up 3-0 at the 73:47 mark. Mia Darden played it from the top of the box and passed it wide to Williams who shot from 18 yards out on the left side.
Tulsa wraps regular-season play at RV/22 Memphis on Friday at 8 p.m., while UConn heads to Temple on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
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