Memphis women's soccer earns 6-seed, will host LSU in NCAA tournament opening round
Memphis women's soccer has earned a 6-seed in the NCAA tournament and will host LSU in first-round action, the NCAA announced Monday afternoon.
The Tigers (18-1) are ranked No. 8 in the country and have the nation's longest winning streak, but still ended up as a No. 6 seed and are in a bracket with No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 2 Arkansas and No. 1 Florida State.
"I'm not going to lie, it's a bit disappointing," coach Brooks Monaghan said. "I thought we deserved a little bit more respect having the record we have, where our RPI is, having the longest winning streak, all those things. But at the end of the day, I don't control that."
Added captain Grace Stordy: "A seed's a seed. We'll get what we can get."
More: Behind unassailable defense and resurgent scoring, Memphis women's soccer wins AAC West
The layout of the bracket means Memphis could be set for a tantalizing rematch with Arkansas. Last season, the Tigers won two games in the NCAA tournament but lost on penalties to the Razorbacks.
It has been a dream season for Memphis, which has the best defensive record in the country, allowing just .368 goals per game. It went undefeated during conference play and is riding a 15-game winning streak. Its only loss came in August at No. 24 Alabama.
Memphis won the AAC tournament on Sunday after already winning the regular-season title. The Tigers beat SMU 2-1 to earn the trophy after getting wins over UAB and Charlotte to reach the conference tournament title game.
Memphis beat LSU (8-7-4) in the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2021, so there's some familiarity.
"A little bit of déjà vu for a couple of the older people on the team for sure, but I think it'll be a good matchup," Stordy said. "I don't know much about them, but I think we're ready to face anything."
The tournament kicks off Friday. The full schedule is expected to be released on Wednesday.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis women's soccer earns 6-seed, will host LSU in NCAA tournament