TAMPA, Florida – The third-seeded Cincinnati Bearcats defeated No. 2 Memphis, 1-0, in the first semifinal of the 2020 American Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Championship, Thursday, April 15 at Corbett Soccer Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
 
The Bearcats (5-4-1) advance to the championship final on Saturday, April 17 at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT against the winner of No. 4 East Carolina and No. 1 USF, who play at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT Thursday. The Tigers fall to 8-3-0 on the season.
 
Cincinnati struck in the 17^th minute on Chloe Spitler’s first-career goal off an assist from Maddy Pittman.
 
Memphis had four corners in the first half, but only managed two shots due to the Bearcat defense, led by American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year Ashley Barron.
 
The Tigers continued to pour on the pressure in the second half, with Haylee Spray hitting the crossbar at the 70^th-minute mark and Clarissa Larisey heading just over the bar in the 86^th minute.
 
For the match, Memphis led in shots, 16-9, and had eight corner kicks to one for the Bearcats. Anna Rexford earned the win for Cincinnati with five saves in goal, while Elizabeth Moberg made three saves for the Tigers.
 
In the two teams’ matchup during the regular season, Memphis won, 2-0, on March 18.
 
Cincinnati will look for its second American Athletic Conference tournament crown, with its only championship coming in 2015.