Hofmann’s Late Saves Earn Tigers Conference Opening Win

Sunday, September 23

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

5-2-2, 1-0-0

Cincinnati

1-7-0, 0-1-0

Cincinnati

Memphis

Photo by: Michael Wade

Hofmann’s Late Saves Earn Tigers Conference Opening Win

Sep 23, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Tigers Take a 1-0 Win at Home

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tigers open conference play with a 1-0 win against Cincinnati Sunday night. Memphis moves to 5-2-2 on the year after capturing the victory.

A last-minute goal at the end of the first half by Edgar Alaniz gave the Tigers the lead at half, and the

The first half was largely a back and forth affair, neither team able to take an advantage for the majority of the first half.

In the final minute of the opening period, the Tigers drove down the pitch, looking for a final opportunity before the break. Peyton McKnatt received a ball off of a Cincinnati deflection, and lobbed a pass into the box. Edgar Alaniz, playing in his third match of the season, caught the ball with a glancing header, redirecting it just enough to find the back of the net.

The goal was Alaniz' first collegiate score. He is the fifth Tiger to find the back of the net in 2018.

"It's such a tough conference that you don't want to give up any points," Head coach Richard Mulrooney said of the 1-0 win. "Especially being at home, you want your three points. I thought we could have put in a more complete effort, but a win is a win."

As the second half began, Memphis continued to apply pressure, and the beginning of the second period matched the first, each team trading possession with near-missed opportunities.

The middle part of the second stanza saw the Tigers show off their passing, controlling possession with multiple passing plays.

As the second half went on, the pressure from Cincinnati ramped up, as the Bearcats outshot the Tigers 9-5 in the second half.

"Just like when we're down, you throw everything and the kitchen sink at your opponent. I give Cincinnati credit, they never gave up," Mulrooney said of the late-game defense. "I would say you need your keeper to make one big save, and Tyler came up with that. Otherwise, we'd still be playing.

In the last 10 minutes of the match, Cincinnati came at the Tigers with everything, taking the last three shots and earning several corner kicks. Timely heroics from Tyler Hofmann kept the Tigers on top to the final whistle.

Memphis will stay at home for its next outing as the squad takes on UConn on Friday.