MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Early offense coupled with a strong defensive effort helped lead the Memphis women's soccer team to a 4-0 victory on Thursday against Omaha at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.  
 
Memphis (1-0) tallied two goals in the first 20 minutes of play, while the Tigers defense held the Mavericks (0-1) to just two shots. Thursday's win marked the fifth-straight season-opening victory.
 
"I'm always happy to get a win. It's not always easy," head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "For the first game I was pleased. You don't expect as a coach to be firing all cylinders for your first game, but I saw some good things. I thought when we made subs the level definitely did not go down. For our first game, I'm pleased. Now this one is behind us and we're on to the next one."
 
The Tigers struck quickly when senior Elizabeth Woerner tallied her 21^st career goal in the sixth minute. Woerner found a loose ball in front of the net off a Memphis corner kick and connected to give the Tigers the early advantage.
 
Sophomore Clarissa Larisey kept the momentum rolling after finding the back of the next just 12 minutes later. The forward launched an overhead kick past the goalkeeper to keep the Tigers in front at 2-0.
 
"We went through a lot in the preseason, and that hard work really paid off to get off on the right note," Woerner said of the early momentum. "It's a team sport. We worked as a team on that first goal. I worked hard to be in front and finish it."
 
Memphis' defense continued to stand tall in the second half after not allowing a shot through the first 74 minutes of action. Sophomore Elizabeth Moberg pitched her fifth career shutout between the posts, stopping the only two Omaha shots of the evening.
 
The Tigers found their first goal of the second half in the 79^th minute when Samantha Murphy scored on a cross from freshman Grace Duncan. Memphis added one final goal after freshman Kimberley Smitconnected on a shot off of a corner kick from junior Jessica Lisi with eight seconds remaining.
 
Duncan and Smit, who scored their first career points as Tigers, were two of the seven freshmen to log minutes for the Blue and Gray.
 
"We have a good freshman class. I don't like to give too much credit too early, but it's a talented group," Monaghan said of the rookies. "Their mentality has been fantastic. They have pushed the returning players. The freshmen have enhanced our attitude and mentality, for sure."

 
The Tigers will return to the pitch on Sunday to host Central Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

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