MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Southeast Missouri women's soccer (0-1-0) dropped a 4-0 decision to Memphis (1-0-0) Thursday evening at the Billy J. Murphy Soccer/Track & Field Complex to open the Redhawks' 2021 campaign.
 
Saorla Miller netted a hat trick to lead the Tigers past SEMO. Memphis outshot the Redhawks, 18-1, with 11 shots on target.
 
Miller provided the Tigers an early 1-0 lead in the 10th minute of regulation. She also scored in the 23rd and 61st minutes during Thursday's game.
 
Miller paced the Tigers with five shots including four on the mark.
 
Jocelyn Alonzo increased the Memphis lead to 2-0, just over four minutes after Miller's first strike at 13:06.
 
The Tigers went to the break with a 3-0 advantage on the scoreboard and outshot SEMO, 11-1, in the first half with six shots on goal.
 
Emma Tucker's shot at 35:16 was blocked.
 
Bailey Redden made five saves in the season opener. Elizabeth Moberg and Claire Wyville combined for the shutout for Memphis.
 
Emma Brune paced all field players, playing all 90 minutes of Thursday's opener. Brune, a sophomore from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, extended her streak of playing every minute of regulation to 13-straight games dating back to this past spring's 2020-21 season.  
 
Kate Daus played in 74 minutes followed by Lauren Welker (73) and Abby Tremain (71).
 
Zoey Memmel, Grace Crowden, Tucker, Elizabeth Rater, Katelyn Miller and Natalie Miller all made their SEMO debuts Thursday. Memmel appeared in the starting 11. Crowden led the newcomers with 68 minutes on the pitch.
 
Gabby Gscheidmeier also made her first career start as a Redhawk.
 
Welker was assessed a yellow card at 21:19.
 
Memphis earned seven corner kicks compared to SEMO's two.
 
The game was delayed 74 minutes due to inclement weather in the Memphis area.
 
SEMO will next host Maryville in the Redhawks regular-season home opener Sunday at Houck Field. First kick is scheduled for 6 p.m., CT.