Tigers Capture Road Win Over Saint Louis

Sunday, August 26

Saint Louis, Mo.

5:00 PM

University of Memphis

Saint Louis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Aug 26, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Peyton McKnatt’s Two Goals Propel Tigers to Victory

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Memphis men's soccer team picked up their first win of the season, defeating the hosting Saint Louis Billikens 2-1 on Sunday night.

The action started early for both teams, with each squad getting shots on goal in the first 10 minutes. It started with freshman midfielder Alexandros Ierides taking a shot six minutes into the match. A few minutes later, Saint Louis popped its first shot on goal, but it was saved by Parker Lackland.

In the 22^nd minute, Gurman Sangha received a ball inside the box, but his shot was blocked. In the ensuing loose ball situation, Peyton McKnatt secured possession for himself, lined up a shot, and blasted it past the keeper, claiming a first-half lead for the Tigers.

Five minutes after the goal, the Tigers found themselves knocking on the door of another goal, as senior midfielder David Zalzman lined up a corner kick. Though the initial attack was stopped, Memphis kept the ball in their attacking half, never allowing Saint Louis to recover or threaten with offense of its own.

Three minutes later, Artur De Luca found McKnatt in the box, who put away his second goal of the first half. McKnatt became the first Tiger to have a multi-goal game since Jackson Morse scored twice against UConn in 2016.

"Obviously, he was the one to step up tonight. We needed someone to step up," Head coach Richard Mulrooney said of McKnatt's big half. "In big games on the road against good teams like Saint Louis, you're going to need guys to step up. It was his night tonight, and hopefully he has more of those in the future."

Not ones to quit, the Billikens mounted several offensive runs, driving deep into Memphis territory and keeping the ball contained Memphis' defensive half. But blocked shots, timely saves, and hustle from the Tigers kept Saint Louis scoreless as time drained off of the clock.

When the first half was all said and done, the Billikens had gotten off 15 shots, compared to five by the Tigers. Memphis put more on goal, however, leading that category four to three.

The shot count continued to climb in the second half, with both teams taking several throughout the first portion of the second half. Memphis, though getting outshot by a wide margin, maintained an edge on putting shots on goal, leading that category throughout the match.

Saint Louis continued to pepper Memphis with shots, but the defense and goalkeeper Parker Lackland held strong, repelling each and every attack made by the Billikens.

"That's a dangerous, attacking team," Mulrooney said of Saint Louis' 24 shots. "But when we do our jobs as a team, we're tough to break down."

The Tigers threatened again in the 78^th minute, producing a shot and a corner kick, but it was defended by Saint Louis, preventing the lead from widening.

In the 89^th minute, SLU mounted a final attack, and after Lackland fell diving for a ball, the Billikens found the open net to cut the lead to 2-1.

Memphis wrapped up the win in the closing seconds, earning a win in the first of five consecutive road matches for the team.

The Tigers hit the pitch on Friday, playing the first matchup of the UAB Tournament in Birmingham against Coastal Carolina. Friday's match is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and is followed by an 11 a.m. start against Fairleigh Dickinson Sunday morning.