No. 15 Tigers Back on Track

Saturday, September 30

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

8-2-0

Tulsa (Parents Weekend)

3-7-0

Tulsa

Memphis

Sophomore Tripp Harkins exited the match after scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal

Sep 30, 2006 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 30, 2006

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Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The No. 15 University of Memphis men's soccer team (8-2-0, 1-1-0 C-USA) picked up its fourth consecutive home field victory with a 3-0 win over Tulsa (3-7-0, 1-1-0 C-USA) on Saturday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. In doing so, the Tigers matched their win total from 2005 with seven games remaining on the schedule.

Sophomore Tripp Harkins put the Tigers on the board first after heading in a touch pass from classmate Robert Sausaman at 41:15. Harkins paid for the goal by colliding hard with Tulsa goalkeeper Dominic Cervi and falling to the turf unconscious. Harkins exited the game under his own power and was taken to Baptist East Hospital for evaluation and observation. The latest reports on Saturday night said that Harkins remained awake and alert and remembered the entire incident.

"We're Relieved. Our first concern was for Tripp's safety, so I'm glad to hear that he looks safe and is in good health," head coach Richie Grant said. "You really have to give credit to Tripp. It was a fantastic run, and he was very brave sticking his head in where most people wouldn't put their foot. I also want to compliment Tulsa's goalkeeper for showing some true sportsmanship. It was just an unfortunate situation where both he and the keeper were going for the ball."

The loss of Harkins reduced an already depleted Memphis attack as junior midfielder Kevin Walsh sat out the game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at South Carolina on Sept. 24. However, sophomores Grant Wise, Frank Judice and Kyle Franklin as well as freshman Wade Wonderlin came off the bench and kept up the pace for the Tiger attack.

"I thought our subs were excellent tonight," Grant said. "Losing players like Kevin and Tripp really hurts. I thought Frank's contribution was immense, he did a great job chasing. Wade was composed as always, Kyle got good time, and Grant keeps improving the more and more minutes he plays."

Junior Jared Britcher, who had been coming off the bench after returning from an illness, increased the Memphis lead early into the second half. The Knoxville, Tenn., native led a charge down the left side of the field and fired a shot that ricocheted off a Tulsa defender to a wide-open Brian Farrell. The freshman forward tapped home his fourth goal of the season to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead with 31 minutes remaining in the second half.

Sophomore Shaun Goulding capped the scoring when he dribbled through the box among a group of Tulsa defenders and used the back of his heel to knock the ball through heavy traffic and into the net for the Tigers' third and final goal.

The Tiger defense stood up to an aggressive Tulsa attack all game. Junior Tyler Strom recorded his first shutout of the season by stopping the only shot the Golden Hurricane put on net. Strom also impressed the Memphis coaching staff with his handling of Tulsa crosses and corner kicks, stopping attacks before they could develop.

"It was very much a team performance. Tulsa is a very good possession team and we did a good job keeping our defensive shape tonight," Grant said. "Tyler really deserved the shutout tonight. He came and got some crosses, he made the saves when they were needed, and his kicking game was excellent."

Memphis won't have too much time to get comfortable at home. The Tigers will hit the road again this when they head to Orlando, Fla. to take on UCF. Kickoff is set for Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.

Memphis Man of the Match

Jordan Lynn- The sophomore midfielder broke up numerous Tulsa attacks and helped launch Memphis counters. Lynn contributed to the Tigers' second goal by breaking up a Tulsa attack and driving it wide on the left side. From there, Britcher and Farrell combined to give the Tigers' some insurance.

"Jordan Lynn was absolutely superb tonight," Grant said. "A lot of times, you don't notice the job those guys do because they don't show up in the box score. But, Jordan was key to our success on both sides of the ball tonight."