Memphis Battles to Draw with No. 12 USF

Friday, October 16

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM CT

University of Memphis

3-7-3, 1-2-2

#12 USF

9-3-1, 4-0-1

OT 5

OT 6

USF

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Oct 16, 2015 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Jake Leeker recorded six saves to keep USF off the board

The Memphis Tigers have made it a habit of playing their best soccer against some of the toughest opponents this season, and it was no different Friday night as they battled to a 0-0 draw with No. 12 USF at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Tigers are the first team to get a point off of the Bulls this season in league play.

"They are sitting at the top of the league and rightfully so, they are very technical, physical and they play a good brand of soccer," Memphis head coach Richard Mulrooney said. "At the same time I was proud of our guys. They stuck to the game plan. At the end of the day, a draw was probably a fair result. Jake (Leeker) made a huge save late, and we hit the crossbar late."

The match was pretty even throughout, with USF holding a 13-10 advantage in shots. The Bulls did have 10 corner kicks in the match while the Tigers had five.

Goalkeeper Jake Leeker was outstanding between the posts for Memphis, making six saves in the match. Of his six saves, none were bigger than the one he made deep into the second overtime period to rob USF's Melvin Becket of a great chance to score the game-winner.

"You always want your goalkeeper to come up with that one big save and he did it. I thought his organization was good. You could see his length on corner kicks to come out and grab the ball. He commanded his box tonight and that's what we needed. Great performance from him," said Mulrooney.

The Tigers are back on the road for their next two matches, first at Cincinnati next Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. and at UCF Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Memphis will close out the regular season at home against Tulsa on October 31.