University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Hosts C-USA Tilt With FIU on Saturday
Oct 16, 2009 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 16, 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -
The Memphis men's soccer team will take on the Florida International Golden Panthers on Sat., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m., at Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis. Memphis enters the match with a mark of 4-4-2 overall. The Tigers are 1-3-0 in Conference USA play and currently find themselves in a tie for sixth-place with UCF and Kentucky. FIU enters Saturday's fixture with a record of 4-8-0. The Golden Panthers are currently in last place in the latest C-USA standings.
"We are really pleased to be back at home," said Memphis head coach Richie Grant. "(Saturday's match) is a very important match for our season and for our standing in the league. We are looking forward to it. We have played some good football at Mike Rose, we just have to get back to that. We were disappointed with our Kentucky performance at home but outside of that we have been very good at Mike Rose."
The Tigers return home after a mid-week road trip to Birmingham, Ala., to face No. 25 UAB. The Tigers lost a close match with the Blazers, 1-0, in a tough game for both teams given the condition of West Campus Field due to the rain that had hit the area over the days preceding Wednesday's match.
Memphis has been led offensively this season by sophomore Parker Duncan along with production from an impressive group of newcomers. Duncan comes into Saturday's match with four goals and three assists on the season. The offensive pest has two game-winning goals for the Tigers this season. Leading the group of offensive newcomers this season have been midfielder Jon Wright and forward J.J. Greer. Wright, a native of Tulsa, Okla., has three goals and one assist in his first year in the Blue and Gray. Greer, a native Memphian, has one goal and a team-leading five assists for Memphis this season.
Defensively, senior goalkeeper Michael Goodlett along with senior centerback Rick Alleman and junior centerback Rory O'Connor have helped the Tigers record three shutouts in 2009. Goodlett comes into the match with FIU with a 1.34 goals against average. The native of Bolton, Miss., recorded seven saves and allowed one goal on Wednesday against UAB.
FIU is led by two of Conference USA's offensive statistical leaders in freshman Sebastian Frings and junior Steven Jair Cabas. Frings enters the contest with seven goals and one assist. Cabas has five goals and five assists. The duo is currently tied for second in Conference USA for the most points accounted for. Cabas is tied with Memphis' Greer for second in the conference for assists.
The Golden Panthers have used a trio of goalkeepers during the 2009 season, led by senior Shane Lopez. The netminder has allowed 11 goals and has racked up 27 saves. FIU has also used brothers Chris and Phillip LaMarre in goal this season. Coach Munga Eketebi's squad is coming off a 1-0 victory on Mon., Sept. 12 over Jacksonville. Cabas netted the game-winning goal for the Golden Panthers on a penalty kick in the 80th minute.
The all-time series between Memphis and FIU is even at 2-2-0. The Tigers won last year's match in Miami, Fla., 2-1, with two goals from Duncan.
Click here to view an interview with Memphis defenders Rory O'Connor and Thomas Shannon on All-Access
