If there was any lingering doubt about the quality of this season’s University of Memphis women’s soccer team, their performance Thursday in front of a record crowd should put that all to rest.

The 14th-ranked Tigers battled second-ranked Tennessee to a scoreless draw on the Park Avenue campus in front of 2,281 fans that included Penny Hardaway and Tim Howard among the luminaries.

Both teams are now 5-0-1 on the season.

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“I think a lot of people thought that this would be a rebuilding year,” said Tigers coach Brooks Monaghan, whose 28-player roster features 25 freshmen and sophomores.

“Tonight should prove a lot to our girls that we can compete with anybody. And we had our chances to win. It was a battle, man; they’re very good.

“You know what I love? They’re (the Tigers are) upset. This is the second team in the country and they’re mad that they didn’t win. A lot of people would be celebrating a tie and they didn’t and that shows a lot to me.”

Two chances — one good one and one great one — fell to Memphis in the first half.

Midway through, the Tigers won a free kick from just outside the box on the left and Ai Kitagawa’s curling shot missed by a fraction.

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Kitagawa might have had a part in the second attempt, but the junior went to the sidelines with about seven minutes left after colliding with a Tennessee defender. That left former Harding Academy standout Ashley Henderson to attempt the penalty after Flavie Dubé was brought down in the box.

With the packed house falling dead silent, Henderson’s shot to the left was saved by Volunteers sophomore keeper Cayden Norris.

Kitagawa didn’t return and Monaghan said the inspirational midfielder’s absence affected the outcome.

“When you lose a player of her caliber, you have to make some adjustments,” he continued. “It changes the way you play a little bit ... (but) we got through it.”

Henderson had another crack 16 minutes into the second half, but once again Norris was well-positioned to deny the Tigers’ co-captain on a free kick from the top of the box. Then with about 13 minutes remaining, Memphis sophomore forward Elise Perron narrowly missed over the bar with a close-range effort.

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The Volunteers, too, had several good chances in the later going as the tensions rose and the palms turned sweaty.

Things got even more nervy with nine minutes left when the referee went to the video review to determine whether or not Memphis should get another penalty after a possible handball in the box.

But — no penalty.

And ultimately no winner in a hard-fought and spirited contest. Corners ended up even at six apiece and Memphis outshot the visitors, 14-10.

“Just grit,” said Monaghan in response to a question about what he liked from his squad. “I thought there were some moments of deer-in-the-headlights, but I thought they responded. Just the fight this young group has.

“I hope this brings them belief.”

Memphis wraps up the non-conference portion of its schedule with a Sunday home game against UT Martin at 7 p.m.