title image via AAMU Sports
Courtesy of Aliyah McDaniel | Assistant Athletics Communications Director, Alabama A&M Athletics
Alabama A&M women’s soccer is set to begin the 2024 slate on the road, as the Bulldogs travel to take on the No. 10 Memphis Tigers on Thursday, at the Billy J. Murphy Soccer/Track & Field Complex at 6 p.m. (CDT). Live streaming will be available on ESPN+.
The match is the first regular season event of the new athletic year on the AAMU calendar. The Bulldogs look to continue the momentum from the end of last season, where they went undefeated in the final two competitions of the regular season, including a 1-0 victory over rival Alabama State.
AAMU welcomes 12 freshmen, as well as transfers Sarah De Gannes of Western Illinois, India.Irie Gaiten of Motlow Community College, and Moriah Watkins of Purdue.
Amongst returners for the Bulldogs is 2024 All-SWAC First Team honoree Victoria Mealing. During the 2023 campaign, the Alexandria, Va. native started in all 18 matches, tallied eight points and four goals. She also tied fifth in the conference in game-winning goals.
Now in his second season at the helm, AAMU head coach Prince Borde is looking forward to the opportunity to play such a talented team. “We are excited to play against a great time like Memphis” Borde said. “This match is a learning experience for us all. Bulldog soccer will be on full display for the entire nation to see. We will fight, persevere and represent the University with pride.”
The Memphis Tigers were one of four teams to win 20 games in the 2023 season, also winning their third straight AAC title and reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the second consecutive season. They return the AAC Midfielder, Goalkeeper and Co-Rookie of the year, in addition to three sophomores who largely contributed to their team in their debut seasons.
The Bulldogs and Tigers have not faced off in nearly 20 years, with the Tigers winning both home-and-home matches in 2003 and 2004.
