Tigers Hold on To Upset Bulls

Saturday, October 25

Tampa, Fla.

6:30 PM

University of Memphis

8-6-2 (2-4-1AAC)

USF

9-5-1 (4-2-1AAC)

Memphis

USF

Oct 25, 2014 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 25, 2014

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla.- The University of Memphis men's soccer team upset the USF Bulls 2-1 in an American Athletic Conference match up Saturday night in Tampa, Fla.

With the win, the Memphis improved to 8-6-2 overall, 2-4-1 in conference play. USF fell to 9-5-1 overall, 4-2-1 in league action.

"I'm just really pleased for the boys," said Head Coach Richard Mulrooney. "I think that we've had some tough games as of late and to come down to a ranked team like USF and a hostile environment and to get a win at that, I couldn't be happier for the boys. They put a lot of heart and effort into it. We stuck to the game plan. We had a certain game plan going into the game and we stuck with it the full ninety minutes and we got rewarded for it. Early on to get two goals and go up 2-0 is always a nice cushion for a lead, but USF kept pushing back and they are a quality team. After ninety minutes, we obviously finished as the winners and it was well earned. It gives us confidence going into the final week of conference play and to finally have the boys rewarded for a full ninety minute effort on the road against a good team, I'm pleased for them."

Tigers struck first in the 10th minute when Wil Linder, assisted by Kenneth Kauker and Raul Gonzalez, dribbled the ball from the top of the box and shot on goal propelling the UofM to a 1-0 lead. The goal was Linder's first of the season.

With that goal, Memphis netted only the 3rd goal allowed in the 1st half by USF this season.

Twenty minutes later, the Blue and Gray scored again. Quincy Thomas received the ball and shot it from the top of the box to the lower left corner putting the Tigers ahead 2-0. The goal was Thomas's first of the season.

In the 35th minute, the Bulls responded. Lindo Mfeka received a pass from Edwin Moalosi and shot the ball from eight yards out into the top left corner giving USF their only goal of the night.

Memphis led USF 2-1 going into intermission.

Although the Bulls outshot the Tigers 15-8, the UofM put up a great defensive effort to hold onto their lead in the second half.

Memphis keeper Cody Uzcategui recorded two crucial saves in the match.

Tigers return home Saturday, Nov. 1, to close out regular season play against Temple in an AAC match up at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Match time is 7 p.m. (CT).

Follow the Memphis soccer team on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @memphismsoccer and stay up-to-date on the latest news and receive live in-game updates at each and every match.