UH Soccer Opens Conference USA Slate with No. 9 Memphis
9/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 22, 2011
Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 - 7 p.m.
Houston Cougars (3-5-0, 0-0-0 C-USA) vs.
Memphis Tigers (8-0-0, 0-0-0 C-USA)
Robertson Stadium (32,000) - Houston, Texas
Series History: Series record is 6-6-1
Last Meeting: 10/05/10 - L, 0-1 - Orlando, Fl.
Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 - 1 p.m.
Houston Cougars (3-5-0, 0-0-0 C-USA) vs.
UAB Blazers (4-5-0, 0-0-0 C-USA)
Robertson Stadium (32,000) - Houston, Texas
Series History: Series record is 3-8-1
Last Meeting: 10/22/10 - L, 0-2 - Birmingham, Ala.
HOUSTON - The University of Houston women's soccer opens the Conference USA slate this week as the Cougars prepare to face Memphis at 7 p.m., Friday, before matching-up with UAB at 1 p.m., Sunday. Both games will be held at Robertson Stadium.
"In conference play we have a goal each year to do better than the previous year," head coach Susan Bush said. "We know on Friday we are in for a really tough match. Memphis is having a phenomenal year, but if we stay organized, in addition to home field advantage, we can make it a game."
On the Cougars
Houston (3-5-0) added two victories last week against Houston Baptist (1-0) and Louisiana-Lafayette (2-0). The winning streak for the Cougars is now at three going into conference play.
Previous Outing
The Cougars' concluded their non-conference schedule on Friday with a 2-0, victory against Louisiana-Lafayette at Robertson Stadium.
Kelsey Zamora opened scoring in the 27th minute, collecting her third goal of the season. Houston kept the momentum going by maintaining close defense throughout the first half, which left Houston heading into halftime 1-0.
Houston added another goal in the second half from freshman Alexis Weaver, picking up her second goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Cami Koski stopped four shots, recording her third consecutive shutout.
Houston vs. Memphis
Defending Conference USA champion Memphis (8-0-0) will be opening conference play as well as they prepare for Houston.
Memphis has recently moved up to No. 9 from 11 in the NCSAA Top-25 poll. The Tigers' new ranking marks the highest ranking in team history along with the first time a Conference USA team has been in the top 10 national rankings since UCF in 2009.
The Tigers will be rebounding from a,2-0, defeat of Vanderbilt on Thursday, improving their record to 8-0-0.
Leading the Tiger defense is two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week goalkeeper Ellise Kuhar-Pitters. The Memphis keeper has registered five shutouts this season, adding four saves to her season total in Memphis' most recent match against Vanderbilt.
Lizzy Simonin and Christie Kline have also been dubbed C-USA Player of the Week this season for the Tigers. In addition, Simonin was listed on Soccer America's Team of the Week (8/24/11).
The all-time series record between the Cougars and Tigers is knotted at 6-6-1. Memphis took the last decision 1-0 in the 2010 C-USA Tournament in Orlando.
Houston vs. UAB
The Blazers (4-5-0) topped Ole Miss 4-2 in Birmingham, Ala., in their final non-conference game.
Offensively junior forward Emma Smith has been the Blazers offensive leader. Smith registered two goals in the defeat of Ole Miss on Saturday.
In goal for UAB has been Katie Getzinger (1-4) and CJ Winship (2-1). Opponents have outscored the Blazers 22-10 this season.
The Blazers kick off conference play on Friday at Rice (6-2-1) before heading to Robertson Stadium to square-off against Houston on Sunday.
The Blazers lead the all-time series 8-3-1. During the last meeting (Oct. 22, 1010) the Cougars dropped a 2-0 decision in Birmingham, Ala.
