University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
8-6-4; 2-4-1
USF (AAC First Round)
7-8-2; 4-1-2
Tigers Defeat Bulls 3-1, Earn First Round AAC Championship Victory
Nov 06, 2018 | Men's Soccer
Goals from three different Tigers, combined with Parker Lackland's career-high seven saves, take Memphis to the semifinal round in its first win in AAC Championship history.
"We've had that confidence all year long, we've always known we can be a good team," head coach Richard Mulrooney said of the match. "We were able to finish some goals tonight, whereas we've missed those type of chances in the past.
Memphis looked aggressive from the onset, earning multiple corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of the match. Nothing came from them, but it was a sign of things to come.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, the Bulls picked up where they left off on Friday, scoring in the 33rd minute of the first half.
Not flinching at the early deficit, the Tigers fought back, culminating in Edgar Alaniz earning a penalty kick a few minutes later.
Senior captain David Zalzman stepped up to the plate to take the PK, and he proved exactly why he was named First Team All-AAC. Calm as can be, Zalzman knocked the PK home, equalizing the match.
The second half was largely a back and forth affair, with both teams finding themselves in good positions, but unable to score.
Lackland kept the Bulls off of the board in the second half, stopping multiple shots from close range.
Everything changed in the 81st minute for the Tigers, who had been unable to finish good looks up to that point. Gurman Sangha played a ball down the left side of the six-yard box to Chris Mikus. Having led the Tigers in goals in the regular season, Mikus one-touched the ball into the back of the net, the ball passing off of the keeper's hands.
As time wound down, Sangha took a ball in the box, muscling his way through multiple defenders, and snuck a shot off of the left post and in, extending the Memphis lead.
Lackland made one more save in the closing seconds, icing the victory for the Tigers.
"That was the most complete effort we've had in a few weeks, and it couldn't have come at a better time," Mulrooney said. "USF made us bend, but the difference tonight was that we didn't break.
With the win, Memphis advances to the semifinals, and will face the SMU Mustangs on Thursday.
Team Stats
Alex Zis
Assisted By: Adrian Billhardt , Jonathan Rosales
Ball played down the right line, cut back to the corner of the six, buried by 7 in low left corner.
32:14
David ZALZMAN
7 dragged down in the box. 10 steps up and slots the penalty low to the right side with the left foot. Goalie dove the correct way.
37:31
Chris MIKUS
Assisted By: Gurman SANGHA
11 played down the left side, cut a low cross to the corner of the 6-yard box. 13 fires a one-timer low on the grown off the keeper's hands and into the middle of the net.
80:31
Gurman SANGHA
Assisted By: (unassisted)
11 fought off multiple challenges from the defender as he dribbled up the middle. Snuck a low shot off the left post and in from 15 yards out
86:24
