University of Memphis Athletics
Coburn Named C-USA Player of the Week
Oct 06, 2008 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 6, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Defender Michael Coburn was named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending in Oct. 5 for his game winning goal in the third minute of the overtime period to propel Memphis to an upset victory over No. 15 SMU. SMU was ranked as high as No. 2 early in the season. The victory, is Memphis' first win over a ranked opponent since they defeated the No. 23 Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in 2005.
Coburn, the Tigers' normal fullback, was moved to center midfielder at the end of the first half and helped set the pace for the Tigers from his new position in Memphis' 2-1 win over No. 14 SMU. In the first half he helped clear several balls from the goal box, but was asked to step up in a new role late in the first stanza. The move paid dividends as the Tigers' captain sparked a rally and then scored the game-winning goal in the third minute of the first overtime period off of a Sean Goulding free kick. The goal was Coburn's first of the season and the seventh of his career. This is the first career weekly honor for Coburn.
Coburn is the first Memphis soccer player to be honored as C-USA Player of the Week since Kevin Walsh earned the honor on Sept. 18 of 2006. He is the 24th Tiger to ever be honored as C-USA Player of the Week. His goal was only his second career game winning goal and his first since 2005. Coburn took four shots in the contest including three shots on goal.
Jimmy Maurer of South Carolina was honored as the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore from Lawrenceville, Ga., has been a force for the Gamecocks all season long. This is the fourth time in 2008 that Maurer has been honored as C-USA Defensive Player of the Week. He has six shutouts in 10 matches this season and has a 0.68 goals against average on the season.
