Tigers and Knights Draw in Conference Opener

Saturday, September 27

Orlando, Fla.

6:00 PM

University of Memphis

4-2-2 (0-0-1The Ame

UCF

1-5-2 (0-0-1The Ame

OT 3

OT 4

Memphis

UCF

Sep 27, 2014 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 27, 2014

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

ORLANDO,Fla. - Memphis and UCF split a pair of second half goals as the two teams drew in their American Athletic Conference opener on Saturday night.

With the tie, Memphis moves to 4-2-2 (0-0-1 AAC), and UCF to 1-5-2 (0-0-1 AAC).

"Overall I think it was a fair result," coach Richard Mulrooney said. "I think they got the better of us in the first half. They had a few chances, but fortunately weren't able to capitalize. We regrouped at halftime and made some tactical changes. Second half was much better, even though we gave up the first goal. Our goal was well deserved, and to get it in the run of play was really nice. Then in overtime it was back and forth. They had a few chances and so did we. I think a draw was fair, and both teams will move forward."

The first half was non-eventful for the most part. At the break, UCF had a 7-5 shot advantage, but Memphis had forced the only two saves of the half. The best chance for either team came in the 45th minute as time wound down. UCF hit the crossbar, but the Tigers were able to recover and clear the ball away.

In the second half, Memphis started to attack more, but it was UCF who broke through first. In the 53rd minute, Jake Weiss crossed a low ball in from the left side and Romario Williams deflected it past a diving Cody Uzcategui to give the Knights the lead.

The Tigers responded positively to giving up the goal and started to apply more pressure against the Knights. Memphis earned a corner, and the ball rolled to the top of the box, where Chandler Gagnon hit a hard, low shot into the lower left corner to equalize the match.

It was the defender's first goal of the season for the Tigers.

Both teams would earn a few more chances in regulation, but were unable to capitalize. In overtime, the two squads would go back and forth trading chances, but as time expired on the second extra time period, the score remain tied.

Mulrooney said he was happy with the way the team responded after a lackluster first half.

"I saw that we regrouped from a poor first half," Mulrooney said. "I think the guys were disappointed in themselves and the way we had played. That was our talk at halftime, and I saw that in the second half. I saw the guys play with more passion, and it doesn't mean we're going to win the game, but it's going to give us a better chance. To tie that game up and take it into overtime is going to give the guys confidence as we go on."

The Tigers return to action on Tuesday in a non-conference showdown against Central Arkansas. Memphis returns to Mike Rose Soccer Complex on Saturday for the first home game of the AAC season against UConn. Follow Memphis soccer on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @MemphisMSoccer.