Tigers drop season finale in Tampa

Friday, November 2

Tampa, Fla.

11:00 AM

University of Memphis

7-6-4, 2-4-1

USF

7-7-2, 4-1-2

Memphis

USF

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Nov 02, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tigers fell short in their regular season finale, falling 2-0 to USF Friday afternoon.

Memphis struggled on offense, registering only one shot on goal, and was largely unable to mount any counter after USF scored in the first half.

The Memphis offense started aggressively, logging the first few shots of the match. However, the USF defense held, and eventually shifted the momentum.

In the 19^th minute, the Bulls found the back of the net off of a corner kick. The corner found its way to the near-side post, and was headed in for the early lead.

"When we start slow the way we have the last couple of games, it makes it extremely tough on ourselves," head coach Richard Mulrooney said of the match. "When you get down early and try to pick it up at the end against good teams, it's too little, too late."

USF stayed on the gas pedal, earning corner kicks and taking shots throughout the rest of the period. Goalkeeper Parker Lackland came up with a pair of huge saves, coming off of his line to challenge USF's offense. Lackland finished the match with six saves.

Possession went back and forth into the second period, each team taking runs into their offensive zones. Memphis had opportunities, but was unable to get shots on target.

After a late surge failed to produce a goal, the Bulls countered, and found themselves with numbers on the break. The run produced a second goal with a minute remaining.

"Hopefully this is a wakeup call for the guys, today was about us not showing up," Mulrooney commented. "I think this team's capable of more, but not if we're playing the way we did today."

The Tigers turn their attention to the American Athletic Conference Championship. Now locked into the sixth seed, Memphis will play on Tuesday, facing whatever team ends up in the third slot.