Tigers Drop Heartbreaker to SMU in AAC Championship Semifinals

Thursday, November 8

Orlando, Fla.

3:30 pm

University of Memphis

8-7-4; 2-4-1

SMU (AAC Semifinals)

10-4-2; 5-1-1

OT 3

OT 4

Memphis

SMU

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Tigers Drop Heartbreaker to SMU in AAC Championship Semifinals

Nov 08, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Memphis men's soccer team fell in the AAC Championship semifinal to SMU by a final score of 2-1 in double overtime.

After 90 minutes of regulation and an overtime period, a goal from SMU ended the Tigers deepest run in the AAC Championship.

The Tigers struck first in this one, as Alexandros Ierides finished off of a cross from Gurman Sangha. Ierides' goal came against the leader in goals against average in the American, Grant Makela, who allowed just 0.76 goals per outing in the regular season.

Much of the first half was played in the midfield, with both teams making runs and getting shots. Memphis outshot the Mustangs 7-5 in the first half.

Just before the first break, SMU tied up the match, scoring the equalizer in the 44^th minute.

"We came in with a game plan, and we ran it to a 'T'," head coach Richard Mulrooney said. "That being said, we knew this was a tough team, but we felt we were right there with them, maybe even a little better."

SMU leveraged that momentum into the second half, coming out fast and taking multiple shots through the early goings of the second period. Much to SMU's chagrin, goalkeeper Parker Lackland kept the attacking Mustangs out of the net.

Through the late stages of the second half, the Tigers had once again swung the momentum in their favor, threatening time and time again as regulation wore on. Shooting up until the final buzzer, though, Memphis was unable to reclaim the lead.

Overtime began as the second half did, with SMU being the aggressor and getting off shots. Continued strong play from Lackland, however, kept the game tied.

In the 95^th minute, Ierides found a look in the box, but his shot was saved by SMU's keeper, and the first overtime came and went without a score.

The second overtime ended in heartbreak for the Tigers, as SMU was able to get a glancing shot to fall over the hands of Lackland in the 103^rd minute.

"Someone had to win that game, and even though we were the lower seed, I felt like we had our chances," Mulrooney said of the effort. "I couldn't be prouder of the guys, and even though this one stings, I know our guys left it all on the field, and that's all you can ask for."

Memphis ends its postseason run with a final record of 8-7-4, having notched its first postseason win as a member of the American Athletic Conference. The win was the first conference tournament win in any conference since 2005.