Tigers Defeat Belmont in Return Home

Saturday, September 15

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

4-2-1

Belmont

0-5-1

Belmont

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Sep 15, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Three Memphis Players Scored Goals

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After five consecutive matches away from home, Memphis men's soccer returned to Mike Rose Soccer Complex to defeat Belmont 3-0 Saturday night.

Memphis (4-2-1) got off to a blistering start as Chris Mikus scored in the third minute of the match. Alexandros Ierides launched a cross into the box, which Mikus finished into the back of the net.

The Bruins (0-5-1) looked to respond quickly, getting off a pair of shots within a few minutes of the goal, but goalkeeper Tyler Hofmann saved both, maintaining the early lead.

Following a scrum inside Belmont's box at 37^th minute, senior midfielder David Zalzman capitalized on the chaos, getting off a shot that gave Memphis a 2-0 lead. The goal was Zalzman's second goal of the season, both goals coming at home.

The first half ended with Memphis outshooting Belmont 7-4. The Tigers were also the lone team to earn corner kicks, taking a trio throughout the half.

"We were still looking for our first win of the season at home," Memphis head coach Richard Mulrooney commented on the match. "The guys came prepared and we did what we had to do."

Already down by two, Belmont came out of the half with a noticeable increase in aggression, controlling the ball and taking multiple shots. After regaining its composure, Memphis reclaimed its edge, completing crisp passes and stymying Belmont attacks.

Seeing his first action of the season, Mason Morise entered the game in the 75^th minute. In the 76^th minute, Morise scored his first goal of the season, capping of a pair of one-touch passes from Peyton McKnatt and Brantley Bice.

Memphis controlled possession for the rest of the match, completing the shutout. The Tigers switched keepers in the 81^st minute, pulling starter Tyler Hofmann and plugging in Parker Lackland, who saw the shutout through to the final whistle.

"It's just finally nice to be able to wake up in your own bed. It's finally nice to be home," Mulrooney said of returning home. "I think the guys have put in good work over the past couple of weeks, in Omaha and other places."

Memphis improves to 4-2-1 on the year, remaining undefeated in its first two home matches. The Tigers travel back to Birmingham, Ala., to face the Blazers of UAB on Tuesday. The team was previously in Birmingham for UAB's Soccer for a Cure Classic, but did not play against the Blazers.