University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
-662, 232 CUSA
Marshall
-681, 431 CUSA
Marshall's 89th Minute Goal Defeats Memphis, 1-0
Oct 23, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 23, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 678-2444
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - If the University of Memphis men's soccer team has an unlucky number this year it would be No. 89. For the third time this season, Memphis gave up a game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation, this time falling to Marshall 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Tiger sophomore goalie Tyler Strom blocked a deep shot from about 30-yards out but Dana Heimbecker connected on the rebound and knocked it in. The game's lone goal came with only 53 seconds left on the clock. The Marshall shutout marks the first time this season an opponent has held Memphis scoreless.
"I've never experienced having this many games decided in the final couple of minutes," said Memphis head coach Richie Grant. "As a result, when we trained for this game, we focused on the final five minutes of the game. We played hard, but the end result we wanted just didn't happen."
The Tigers fall to 6-6-2 overall and 2-3-2 in Conference USA. All three U of M conference losses have come from goals scored in the final minute of regulation. Six of the seven league games for Memphis have been decided in the final minutes. The Tigers tied Tulsa and South Carolina and beat Kentucky on a goal in the final minute of the first overtime. Marshall improves to 6-8-1 and 4-3-1 in league play after beginning the season 2-7-1.
"Marshall is a very good team," Grant said. "They have tightened up their game a lot. Those days of being beat by seven or five goals are gone for them. Bob Gray has done an excellent job with them."
Despite being outshot by the Thundering Herd 23 to 8, Grant said the game was evenly played with both team receiving equal scoring opportunities. Senior Andy Metcalf and sophomore Jared Britcher led the Tigers with three shots each and combined for all three of the U of M shots on goal.
"The great thing about our sport is fatigue becomes a factor after the 70th minute," Grant said. "Robbie (Nicholson) has done a great job getting our team at the fitness level needed to compete in those final minutes. There were plenty of opportunities for both teams to score. The effort from our team was tremendous. We had two good performances this week and it's important that we are coming back with three points."
Strom had another busy night between the pipes recording six saves in the game off seven opportunities. The Thornton, Colo., native recorded three saves in each of the halves.
Stephen Cooling also played a good game after coming back from three-stitches he received from Friday's contest with Kentucky. Grant said he has been impressed by the way the senior has stepped up down the stretch.
The Tigers will battle at home for one of six remaining conference tournament spots in the final two games of the regular season. Both SMU and Marshall have clinched a position in the tournament. Memphis will host Florida International on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex followed by UCF on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The games will be part of alumni week for the men's soccer team. An alumni game will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday at South Campus followed by the annual Tommy Smith banquet at 5 p.m.
Team Stats
HEIMBECKER, Dana (3)
off rebound
89:07
