Men's Soccer Falters In Final Non-Conference Match

Tuesday, October 18

Conway, Ark.

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

7-6-1

Central Arkansas

5-7-1

Memphis

Central Arkansas

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Oct 18, 2016 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Raul Gonzalez scores twice in the setback

CONWAY, Ark. – The University of Memphis men's soccer team dropped its final non-conference match of the season by a score of 3-2 against Central Arkansas Tuesday night. UCA's Niklas Brodacki single-handedly set the Tigers back as he scored all three goals for the Bears.

Memphis drops to 7-6-1 on the year with three conference matches remaining on the schedule.

"We just weren't ready mentally and physically tonight," said head coach Richard Mulrooney. "Credit goes to UCA tonight. The opportunity came to them and they finished."

Central Arkansas quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead after a pair of goals by Brodacki. Brodacki's first goal came in the 12^th minute after there was a loose ball in the box that he finished from three yards out.

Brodacki struck again in the 24^th minute with a shot that finished in the upper right 90.

The tables turned in favor of the Tigers in the 34^th minute. Senior captain Raul Gonzalez tallied his second goal of the season on a finish to the back left post after a free kick.

Just over five minutes later, Gonzalez remained perfect on penalty kicks this season (2-for-2) with a conversion to tie up the match, 2-2.

The second half of action went scoreless for quite a while before UCA's Brodacki capitalized again to complete his hat trick in the 77^th minute. The Tigers had opportunities to equalize it in closing minutes of the second half, but struggled to find the back of the net.

In the match, the Bears and the Tigers were equal in shots (18) and shots on goal (8). Central Arkansas finished the match with six corners compared to five by the Tigers. Memphis goalkeeper Jake Leeker finished the match with four saves while the defense registered a save.

Memphis will remain on the road for a match against USF on Oct. 22 before returning home for the final home match against UConn on Oct. 29.