Memphis Unable to Tame No. 14 Saint Louis

Friday, September 4

St. Louis, Mo.

7:00 PM CT

University of Memphis

0-3-0

Saint Louis

2-0-0

Memphis

Saint Louis

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Sep 04, 2015 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Nationally ranked Billikens show their class in the second half

Memphis and Saint Louis played a scoreless first half but the game turned in the second half as the Billikens scored three goals and rolled to a 3-0 win over the Tigers Friday night at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis, Mo. The Tigers will make the short trip to SIU-Edwardsville for a match Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

"Saint Louis is a quality team and we knew coming here was going to be a tough feat but one that we felt we were up to the challenge. The first half showed that," Memphis head coach Richard Mulrooney said. "In the second half I think like they outperformed us a bit. They started to punish us for some of our mistakes. Eventually the dam broke and they got a goal and then after that they started to become more decisive in our third of the field."

The Tigers had just one shot in the first half while the Billikens had four shots during the first period. Memphis finished the match with only six shots and forced three saves by Saint Louis goalkeeper Sascha Otte.

While struggling to create chances in the opening half of play Memphis was able to make the game difficult for Saint Louis. Memphis goalkeeper Jake Leeker made a pair of first-half saves and the teams were deadlocked at halftime.

A set piece goal opened the floodgates for Saint Louis in the 51^st minute. The Tigers have been victimized on corner kicks and free kicks in the first three games and this was no different.

Vince Cicciarelli doubled the Billikens lead just ten minutes later and then put the game away with his second goal in the 65^th minute.

"I'd be lying if I didn't think the guys got disappointed when the first goal went in. That's something we need to work on. The last thing we're going to have on this team are quitters. Some heads went down and some sorrow kicked in. When you're on the field you are representing the University of Memphis and we're going to battle until the end," said Mulrooney.

Saint Louis, who has an impressive home record, extended its home winning streak to 14 games with the win over Memphis.

The Tigers next opponent, SIUE, lost 2-0 to UMKC at home Friday night.