University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Looks to Continue Conference Win Streak in South Carolina
Oct 16, 2008 | Men's Soccer
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Oct. 16, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis men's soccer team is set to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday night in Columbia, S.C., at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium at 6 p.m. (CST). Memphis enters the match with an overall record of 4-8-0. The Tigers are currently 2-2 in the conference and are in fourth place overall. The Gamecocks enter Friday's tilt with a 6-4-2 record and a 1-1-1 conference split. USC is in fifth place in the latest Conference USA standings.
Memphis is coming off of two consecutive C-USA victories, defeating No. 15 SMU on Oct. 5, and taking down the Golden Panthers of FIU, 2-1, on Oct. 12. The Tigers got a solid performance out of freshman Parker Duncan in their road win against FIU. The forward from Johnson City, Tenn., scored the first two goals of his career in Miami. Duncan has started the last two games for the U of M after providing a spark for the Tigers in their defeat of the No. 15 SMU Mustangs.
Memphis' goal box is protected by junior Michael Goodlett, a native of Bolton, Miss. Goodlett has posted a 1.37 goals against average so far this season. He has amassed 50 saves on the year.
The Tigers still lead the conference in corner kick. Richie Grant's squad has 83 corners on the season, ten more than any other team in the C-USA.
Two of Memphis' forwards continue to lead the team in points. Ryan Ruble and Brian Farrell have both contributed six points on the year. Ruble, a sophomore from Lee's Summit, Mo., has two goals and two assists this season. Ruble, a C-USA All-Freshman team selection in 2007, tallied an assist on a Duncan goal against FIU. Farrell has scored three goals on the year. The junior from Dunboyne, Ireland, has missed the last two games with an injury.
South Carolina is coached by Mark Berson, who is in his 30th season as the Gamecock's head coach. Berson's team is led by sophomore Sam Arthur. The native of Roswell, Ga., has 10 goals and three assists on the year. Arthur currently leads the C-USA in goals and goals per game. USC has also gotten a spark from Blake Brettschneider, a C-USA All-Freshman team pick last season. Brettschneider has four goals and two assists for the Gamecocks.
USC's offense is currently 12th in the country for points per game and goals per game.
Jimmy Maurer, the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on four occasions this season, which ties a record for most Player of the Week honors in one season, has posted a 0.80 goals against average this season.
Memphis will return home next week for a match-up with the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars. SIUE is currently in the process of transitioning to Division I soccer. The match will take place at 7 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 22 at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Wednesday's match is faculty and staff apprecciation night. Tiger players will bring their favorite U of M faculty and staff members to the game to be honored before kickoff.
