University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
-924 (213 CUSA)
Alabama A&M
6-7-1
Men's Soccer Knocks off Alabama A&M
Oct 31, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 31, 2007
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis men's soccer team defeated Alabama A&M tonight, 1-0, in its final non-conference match of the season. Memphis improves to 9-2-3 (2-1-3 C-USA) on the season after a hard-fought, physical performance by both teams, as the Tigers head to UAB this weekend for their last road game of the regular season.
After a scoreless first half which saw a total of six shots, Michael Coburn and Ryan Ruble hooked up to put the Tigers ahead with the lone score of the match. Coburn dropped a long ball into the box that Ruble touched twice, finding the back of the net from six yards out.
"It was a fantastic goal," said Memphis coach Richie Grant, "a great ball from Scoby (Coburn). He'd been putting a couple of good crosses in...and Ryan Ruble again. He is outstanding in his ability to get us something out of the game."
Tyler Strom recorded two saves for his third shutout of the year, the team's sixth, but the biggest stop of the night came with less than two minutes to play. The Bulldogs mounted an organized attack that resulted in their only two shots on goal, and after Strom knocked Terrance Jones' first strike back into play, Lwazi Maziya punched the rebound back at the net, but Thomas Hyland cleared the shot to preserve the lead.
"That was a brilliant save off the line," Grant said. "I'm sure Tyler (Strom) was relieved that Thomas (Hyland) was there, and it took that to win the game."
"I thought we beat a very good team tonight," said Grant. "I'm really pleased with the result, not so pleased with the performance, but the credit goes to Alabama A&M--the way they move the ball. They make you chase. They make you work."
The Tigers will wrap up the regular season with two conference matches, Saturday at UAB and then Saturday, November 10 at home against FIU.
Team Stats
RUBLE, Ryan (5)
Assisted By: COBURN, Michael
Long ball into box from 5, two touches t
79:46
