LAKEWOOD RANCH, Florida – Ashley Henderson’s brace propelled No. 1 seed Memphis to the final of the 2024 American Women’s Soccer Championship with a 3-1 win over No. 4 seed Rice on Thursday, November 7 at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
 
With the win, Memphis (13-1-4) advances to the championship final and will face No. 3 seed East Carolina on Sunday, November 10 at 2 p.m. ET on ESPNU. Rice fell to 12-6-2 on the season. The Tigers will be playing for their fourth consecutive title.
 
Memphis took the lead in the 17^th minute when Ai Kitagawa passed a ball into the path of Henderson, who took one touch and then slotted home her second goal of the Championship.
 
In the 57^th minute, Rice’s Catarina Albuquerque delivered a corner to the near post that Natalie Gorji headed home to tie the match.
 
Henderson headed in a cross from Ally Casey in the 68^th minute to allow Memphis to regain the lead. The Tigers added an insurance goal in the 77^th minute when a Henderson shot bounced right to Momo Nakao, who scored her second goal of the Championship.
 
Rice’s Faith Hutchins made five saves, while Memphis’ Kaylie Bierman recorded two stops.
 
2024 American Women's Soccer Championship
Premier Sports Campus (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.)
 
Monday, November 4
Quarterfinal 1 – No. 3 Seed East Carolina 1, No. 6 Seed Charlotte 0 (2OT) | Box Score | Video Highlights
Quarterfinal 2 - No. 2 Seed South Florida 1, No. 7 North Texas 0 | Box Score | Video Highlights
Quarterfinal 3 - No. 4 Seed Rice 2, No. 5 Seed UAB 0 | Box Score | Video Highlights
Quarterfinal 4 - No. 1 Seed Memphis 4, No. 8 Seed Tulsa 2 | Box Score | Video Highlights
 
Thursday, November 7
Semifinal 1 – No. 3 East Carolina 1, No. 2 South Florida 1 (2OT – ECU advances on PKs, 5-3) | Box Score | Video Highlights
Semifinal 2 – No. 1 Memphis 3, No. 4 Rice 1 | Box Score | Video Highlights
 
Sunday, November 10
Championship Final – No. 3 East Carolina vs. No. 1 Memphis | 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT | ESPNU