Tigers Drop Second Straight, Lose 3-2 to Drake

Sunday, September 18

Des Moines, Iowa (Diadora Challenge)

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

4-2-0

Drake

2-3-1

Memphis

Drake

Sophomore Adam Montgomery was named along with teammate Jared Britcher to the Diadora Challenge All-Tournament Team. (Photo by Jeffrey Nycz)

Sep 18, 2005 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 18, 2005

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Box Score

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 678-2444

DES MOINES, Iowa - Despite two second half goals, the University of Memphis men's soccer team lost 3-2 to Drake University in the Diadora Challenge at the Cownie Soccer Complex on Sunday.

After losing 3-1 to No. 15 Creighton, the Tigers (4-2-0) found themselves in a similar situation against the Bulldogs. Drake (2-3-1) scored an early goal in the first half and held Memphis scoreless to take an early 1-0 lead at halftime. The Tigers would never lead in the game as they lose their second-straight game for the first time since the 2003 season. It is the second-straight time the U of M has allowed three goals and the third time this season.

"We didn't have a good afternoon," said Memphis head coach Richie Grant."We didn't play well and didn't get into any kind of rhythm. We didn't pass the ball well tonight. It's a bit of a disappointing performance on both sides of the ball. We didn't defend well and that's what hurt us."

The Tigers tied the game in the 48th minute on a goal by senior forward Andy Metcalf, but Drake countered less than a minute later to reclaim the one point lead. By the time Memphis sophomore Jared Britcher scored the Tigers' second goal in the 78th minute, the Bulldogs had already put the game away with its third netter. Memphis played the final 30 minutes a man short after freshman Thomas Hyland was ejected from the game with a red card.

Drake shutdown the Memphis shooting game, limiting the Tigers to only two shots in the first half and nine in the game. In its first five games, the U of M had never had less than 19 shots. Drake made 18 shots in the game, putting 10 of them on goal.

Sophomore Gavin McInerney and Tyler Strom split goalie duties for the Tigers. McInerney played the first half and converted two saves out of three opportunities. Strom played the entire second half and had a season high five saves, but took the loss after allowing two second half goals.

Metcalf tied sophomore Marcus McCarty for the team lead in goals with five. The Jackson, Tenn., native has five goals and two assists to lead the team in points with 12. The goal was assisted by senior Cormac McArdle on a cross from the left side to tie the game. McArdle now has three assists from the defense.

Britcher scored for the second-straight game, earning this fourth goal of the season on a point blank blast from 10-yards out on an assist from sophomore Patrick Ahern. The Knoxville, Tenn., native has four goals and two assists for 10 points through six games. Britcher and sophomore teammate Adam Montgomery were named to the All-Tournament team.

Memphis returns home to take on cross-state opponent Vanderbilt (3-2-0) at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game is the final preparation for the Tigers before beginning the conference schedule at Tulsa on Friday, September 30.

"It's been good for us to play so many non-conference games before we get to the most important part of our schedule," Grant said. "We need to respond well in the Vanderbilt game. We look forward to being back at home, and hopefully we can get back to playing like we were at the start of the season."