No. 11 Panthers Ready to Face No. 8 Memphis in a Sweet Sixteen Showdown

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – The University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer team (16-5-1, 6-2-1) is ready to make their second Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament where they will meet No. 8-ranked Memphis (20-1-0, 9-0) Sunday in the 2023 NCAA Championship Third Round. The matchup will take place at Razorback Field in Fayetteville, AR with the opening kick slated for 7 p.m. EST. The contest will be aired live on ESPN+.

THE MATCHUP

• This is the second consecutive time the Panthers have advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. Last year was Pitt’s first time in program history making it to the Third Round of the tournament.
• Memphis has reached the Round of 16 for the second-consecutive season which is a first for their program history.
• The No. 7-seeded Panthers won their NCAA Second Round Matchup with No. 2-seeded Arkansas, 4-3, on Friday in Arkansas. Pitt’s Ellie Coffield posted the game winning goal in the 89^th minute off of a corner kick from Sarah Schupansky – leaving just under 90 seconds of regulation left.
• The winner of the matchup between Pitt and Memphis will take on either No. 1 nationally seeded Florida State or No. 5 seeded Texas in the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament next weekend.

HOW TO FOLLOW

• Sunday evening’s NCAA Tournament matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+.
• Live stats will be available HERE.
• Live updates throughout the game will be posted on X, formally known as Twitter, by following the Pitt women’s soccer account @Pitt_WSOC.

THE SERIES

• This is the first time the Panthers and the Razorbacks are meeting in program history.
• The Panthers currently hold a 16-5-1 record on the season where the Tigers are 20-1-0.

SCOUTING MEMPHIS

• The Tigers defeated Notre Dame on Friday afternoon in the Second Round, 3-2.
• Finley Lavin put Memphis up first in the 16^th minute of play – finding an opening in the left corner of the goal. This was her first career goal.
• Goalkeeper Kaylie Biernman posted five saves in the first 44 minutes of play, but Notre Dame was able to place a shot – making the score 1-1 going into halftime. Biernman was able to secure one more save on the night – securing a six save career high.
• The Tigers took the lead again at the 76^th minute by…