Tigers Finish 2-0 on Rocky Mountain Road Trip

Sunday, September 17

Denver, Colo.

12:00 PM

University of Memphis

7-1-0

Denver

4-3-1

Memphis

Denver

Sophomore midfielder Tripp Harkins scored the game-winner in the 48th minute.

Sep 17, 2006 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 17, 2006

Box Score

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DENVER, Colo.- Once again, the scoring duo of junior midfielder Kevin Walsh and sophomore midfielder Tripp Harkins led the way for the No. 25 University of Memphis men's soccer team as the Tigers tied a school record by winning their fourth straight road match by virtue of a 2-1 win over the Denver Pioneers on Sunday afternoon.

"You have to compliment what our players have done these past few games," Grant said. "Overall we played very well, especially in the second half. We managed the clock well and did a good job defensively late in the game. We're pretty pleased with where we are as team heading into conference play."

Walsh got things going for the Tigers midway through the first half. The Shrule, Ireland native made the Tigers' only shot of the period count as he drove home a strike off a pass from sophomore midfielder Shaun Goulding. Walsh has now recorded at least one point in five straight games and seven of the team's first eight.

The Tiger defense turned away six Denver shots and junior goalkeeper Tyler Strom recorded three saves to send Memphis into the half with a 1-0 lead.

Memphis wasted no time getting the second half under way. Sophomore midfielder Tripp Harkins notched his fifth goal of the season off a pass from Walsh, who began the week tied for the national lead in assists per game (1.0), just over three minutes into the start of the second half. The goal was Harkins' fifth of the year, setting a single-season high for the Tupelo, Miss. native. Harkins and Walsh remain tied for the team lead with five goals apiece in 2006.

The Pioneers tried to mount a comeback as freshman Kellen Christensen recorded his first career goal by heading in a cross from teammate Joey Mathot in the 62nd minute.

However, Strom picked up two more saves in the second half to preserve the 2-1 win for the Tigers. Grant praised his junior netminder and the Tiger defense for shutting down the Pioneers the rest of the way.

"Tyler Strom was really solid for us today, his kicking particularly," Grant said. "He played a large part in helping us win this game. (Sophomore midfielder) Jordan Lynn and (senior defender) also did a great job on defense. Jordan had had a couple of good chances and gave us some momentum, and Jamie has played well for us the last few games."

The Tigers will return to Memphis before heading out to South Carolina where they will open conference play against the defending C-USA Tournament champion Gamecocks on Sept. 24.

Notes
The Tigers have now won four consecutive road matches for just the third time in school history and the first time since 2004. Memphis will look to set a new school record when they take on South Carolina in Columbia on Sept. 24. This season marks the first time the Tigers opened a season with three or more consecutive road victories.

Junior midfielder Kevin Walsh has five goals and seven assists on the season. He has notched a point in every Tiger win, his last five games, and seven of the first eight matches of the year.