Sept. 18, 2003

Memphis, Tenn.-- - The University of Memphis women's soccer team will open Conference USA play this weekend with a pair of matches at Louisville and Cincinnati, respectively. The Lady Tigers' begin their league schedulewith a match versus the Cardinals, Friday at 7 p.m., then travel to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats, Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Lady Tigers (1-3-2) will look to carry over the momentum from their first victory of the season, a 3-0 defeat of Drury on Sept. 13, as they enter league play. Memphis is just 1-7 all-time in league openers with its only win coming in 1996 when the Lady Tigers defeated Tulane 2-0.

Forward Yuiko Konno scored the game-winner in the opening minute of the Drury match and freshman goalkeeper Amy Clunie posted her second shutout of the season. Konno leads the team with three goals and six points.

"At this point in the season, you want to improve every game and I feel like we are doing that," Head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "We got in the win column at Drury and that was big for our girl's confidence as we enter league play on the road at Louisville."

Memphis leads the all-time series with Louisville 4-2 and the four wins by the Lady Tigers are the most victories against a C-USA opponent. Louisville snapped a four-game losing streak to the Lady Tigers with a 1-0 last season. The Cardinals (3-1-1) are riding a three-game win streak as they enter league play and are led in scoring by freshman Jamie Craft who already has four goals and an assist in the early going.

Cincinnati has dominated the all-time series with Memphis defeating the Lady Tigers in each of the previous eight contests. The Bearcats are the defending C-USA Tournament champions and the pre-season pick to win the conference, but are just 2-3-1 this season and winless in their last four matches. Midfielder Tasha Wagner leads the squad with eight points.