Memphis Suffers Setback in Loss to Coastal Carolina

Friday, August 31

Birmingham, Ala.

4:30 PM

University of Memphis

1-1-1

Coastal Carolina

2-1-0

Coastal Carolina

Memphis

Photo by: Michael Wade

Memphis Suffers Setback in Loss to Coastal Carolina

Aug 31, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Tigers Play Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tigers found themselves on the wrong side of the ledger against Coastal Carolina, suffering a 2-0 loss in the first match of the Soccer for a Cure Classic in Birmingham, Ala.

The action got going early as Memphis fired off three shots in the first 15 minutes. Though none found the back of the net, the aggression was apparent as the Tigers were set to take on a tough squad.

Ultimately, Memphis would take seven shots in the first 27 minutes, all of them coming before Coastal Carolina even shot once. A shot from Peyton McKnatt in the 27^th minute bounced off of the crossbar before being shot wide and out of play by Jackson Morse.

After the initial surge slowed down, the Chanticleers started to find some shots of their own, letting off four shots in the final 20 minutes of the first half. As the opening period came to a close, DZ Harmon ripped a shot that was saved by Memphis goalkeeper Parker Lackland, keeping the score even. The Tigers outshot Coastal Carolina 8-4 through the first half.

"I thought in the first half, we did exactly what we wanted to do. We controlled the ball well, we dictated the pace, but we had a couple of chances that we missed out on," Head coach Richard Mulrooney said about the first half. "They truly only had one good look, and they hit the post on it, but we limited them a lot in the first half."

The second half opened with some more shots from the Tigers, but the defenses continued to be the driving force of the match. Shots from Peyton McKnatt, Gurman Sangha, and Chris Mikus were off target, keeping the game without a goal.

In the 67^th minute of the match, Coastal Carolina put together a passing exchange inside the box that freed up Saif Alhameli, who put home the first goal of the match.

Memphis continued to press, earning a corner kick in the 75^th minute. David Zalzman gave the Tigers a chance, but the attempt was turned away.

Coastal Carolina found the back of the net for the second time in the 85^th minute, increasing its margin to a two-goal lead.

"Unfortunately, it was a tale of two halves. They came out and outworked us," Mulrooney commented on the second half. "I thought we gave them more opportunities, and it cost us. It's a character test, but we just need to come out and right the ship. We need to come out and compete for the 90 minutes as we did in our first two games, and hopefully we'll come home with a win."

Memphis will look to rebound in its second match of the Soccer for a Cure Classic against Fairleigh Dickinson. Match time is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday.