Gonzalez Hat Trick Leads Memphis to Victory

Wednesday, September 30

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM CT

University of Memphis

1-5-2

UCA

1-8-0

Central Arkansas

Memphis

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Sep 30, 2015 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Memphis claims first win of the season, 3-1, over Central Arkansas

Raul Gonzalez recorded a hat trick to lead Memphis to the team's first win of the season, 3-1, over Central Arkansas Wednesday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The hat trick is the first for the Memphis Tigers since Hector Cantele scored a trio of goals against Oral Roberts last October.

"There are no easy wins in the college game as we've seen and this is the first one we've experience this year," Memphis head coach Richard Mulrooney said. "I'm happy for Raul but it was a team effort tonight. The confidence is building now."

Heading into conference play last week, the Memphis Tigers were in need of goals and results and they've gotten both. After scoring just one goal in the first six matches of the season, the Tigers have now scored five times in the last two matches.

Sophomore forward Chandler Klemm created two of the Tigers' three goals, making great passes to set up Gonzalez.

For the opening goal, Klemm made a great run down the left wing and crossed to Gonzalez who split two defenders and curled a shot into the net. Central Arkansas was able to score an equalizer five minutes later and sent the game to halftime tied 1-1.

Gonzalez's second goal came on a penalty kick after Jordan Klipsch was fouled in the box after a long throw in.

The junior from Ocean Springs, Miss., completed the hat trick and put the game away after freshman forward Julio Vargas made a run down the wing and crossed to Klemm who cut the ball back to Gonzalez to calmly slot into the net.

"We found our attack and started playing better as a team," Gonzalez said. "My goals are the teams' goals. I couldn't have scored those goals without my teammates. In the second half our mentality was more attacking. We are just starting to find our chemistry and now we are getting familiar."

The Tigers will turn back to conference play as they head on the road to face UConn Saturday at 6:00 p.m.