Memphis Falls in Home Opener to UAB

Friday, August 28

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM CT

University of Memphis

0-1

UAB

1-0

UAB

Memphis

Photo by: Don Claussen

Aug 28, 2015 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Freshman Mason Morise scores in 3-1 loss

UAB finished off a pair of set piece goals in the second half to beat Memphis 3-1 in the Tigers' home opener at Mike Rose Soccer Complex Friday night. Freshman Mason Morise's well-taken goal leveled the match in the first half but Memphis was unable to get a winner in the second half.

"It was a frustrating game," Memphis head coach Richard Mulrooney said. "The game started with both teams trying to feel the game out and as we went on we gained momentum. I thought we had some good build up and the chemistry was good. We had some good opportunities in the first half. In the final third our touch failed us a little."

The Tigers will be back at Mike Rose Stadium Monday at 2:00 p.m. to host Northern Kentucky, who lost its opening match 3-2 at Cincinnati.

Memphis finished with 21 shots in the game but was unable to make the majority of them count. The Tigers also finished with 12 corner kicks in the game but were outmuscled by the Blazers on the majority of the set pieces.

UAB had just eight total shots in the match and six of those were on target, forcing three saves from Memphis goalkeeper Cody Uzcategui.

The Blazers opened the scoring in the 16th minute when midfielder DeAndre Robinson ripped a shot from the edge of the box that sailed into the corner of the net.

The equalizer came after a short pass from freshman forward Jacob Krupp fell to the feet of Morise inside the 18-yard box. Morise sliced his shot across face of the goal and into the bottom corner.

Both of UAB's second-half goals came off of set pieces that weren't cleared by the Memphis defense. Senior Ian Svantesson was a defender-turned-poacher as he was able to poke the ball over the line for both goals.

"We know that UAB is dangerous on set plays. We gave up some stupid fouls to give them those opportunities and they punished us for it. That was the difference in the game. That's part of the game and I give them credit for that," said Mulrooney.

Memphis had a great opportunity to grab a lead with about 10 minutes left in the first half. Junior midfielder Raul Gonzalez launched a long free kick into the box and freshman defender Josh Burnett headed it towards goal but UAB's goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky made a great stop.

Four freshmen featured in the starting lineup for Memphis and one first-year player made an appearance off of the bench.