MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis women's soccer team won its eighth-straight season opener, using a balanced attack to knock of the LSU Tigers, 3-0, at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

Sophomore striker Christabel Oduro put Memphis on the board in the 25th minute after receiving a high-arcing pass from Kaitlyn Atkins and heading it in for the score to give Memphis a 1-0 lead.

Memphis pushed the pace and controlled the ball for much of the opening period, managing eight shots, including four on goal, compared to just one shot for LSU. The U of M finished the game with 15 shots.

Memphis didn't slow down after the intermission, as Kelley Gravlin increased the Memphis lead to 2-0 in the 46th minute when she sent a 20-yard strike past the LSU keeper and into the back of the net.

Atkins helped Memphis extend its lead to 3-0 when she lofted a shot past the LSU keeper that went in the net of the right post. She finished the game with one goal and one assist in her collegiate debut. Memphis is now 78-6-1 all-time when scoring three or more goals.

LSU got on the board in the 83rd minute, when Alex Cook received a pass in the box from Addie Eggleston and rocketed it past Memphis keeper Elise Kuhar-Pitters. LSU finished the game with 10 shots, including seven corners, but the Memphis back line, anchored by the C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of Year Lizzy Simonin, was able to keep the attack at bay for most of the contest.

With the victory, Memphis evens the series with LSU at three games apiece. The U of M improves to 11-6-0 in season openers, including 12-4-1 in home season openers. Under current head coach Brooks Monaghan, Memphis is 63-29-6 on the home turf. Memphis also improves to 16-14-1 all-time against SEC opponents.

Memphis leaves the friendly confines of Mike Rose Soccer Complex next weekend for showdowns with Alabama on Aug. 26 and Samford on Aug. 28. The Tigers will then head to Western Kentucky for a midweek matchup before returning to the Bluff City to take on Ole Miss on Sept. 11. 

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