Memphis Drops 2-1 Final to Temple in AAC Championship Quarterfinal

Saturday, November 9

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

10-7-0, 4-3-0

Temple

8-7-2, 3-2-2

Temple

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Memphis Drops 2-1 Final to Temple in AAC Championship Quarterfinal

Nov 09, 2019 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Sam Ashton registers 11th goal in loss

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Despite scoring the first goal of the match, the Memphis men's soccer team was unable to hang on, dropping a 2-1 final to Temple in its American Athletic Conference Championship quarterfinal.

Hosting its first AAC Championship game, Memphis established possession early, scoring in the 25^th minute on Sam Ashton's 11^th goal of the season. Once in the second half, Temple was able to respond with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, and eventually tucked in a goal in the second overtime.

The Tigers came out putting pressure on the Temple defense early, taking multiple shots in the first 10 minutes. Eventually, Memphis was able to break the defense, logging the first goal of the match. Christoforos Kourtis snaked a pass across to Ashton, who would put the Tigers up 1-0 in the first half.

Even with the one goal lead, Memphis continued to press forward, looking for some separation from the Owls, but would take the 1-0 lead into the break.

Temple flipped the script in the second half, outshooting the Tigers 7-1 in the period. Goalkeeper Parker Lackland came up big on multiple occasions, halting Temple attacks throughout the second half. Lackland would end up with a season-high seven saves in the match.

As the clock ticked down, the Owls threw everything and the kitchen sink at the Memphis defense and were rewarded with a goal in the 89^th minute.

After a first overtime that saw Memphis take a shot on goal early, the Tigers nearly found a goal on a pair of occasions in the second overtime. Ford Hunt and Peyton McKnatt both took shots, both were on goal, but Temple's 6'9" keeper was able to keep them out.

On an Owl corner kick, a scrambled situation ended up with a Temple goal, sending them to the semifinal round.