Luke Kelly scores golden goal as Memphis wins at Temple in double overtime

Tuesday, February 23

Philadelphia, Pa.

11 a.m.

University of Memphis

1-1-0, 1-1-0

Temple

1-2-0, 1-2-0

Memphis

Temple

Photo by: Eric Glemser

Luke Kelly scores golden goal as Memphis wins at Temple in double overtime

Feb 23, 2021 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – Pennsylvania native Luke Kelly scored in the 109^th minute with a 12-yard contested strike just inside the left post to give Memphis men's soccer a dramatic 2-1 double-overtime win at Temple on Tuesday at the Temple Sports Complex.

Kelly, a sophomore from McMurray, Pa., who transferred from Duquesne, notched his first collegiate goal just past diving Temple keeper, Nikolas Hartmann. The goal came on an assist from Tiger freshman midfielder Caden Wells, who attended St. George's Independent School in Germantown. Kelly appeared in 14 games as a freshman for Duquesne last season, recording 10 shots on goal.

"It was a free kick that bounced around and fell to Caden, who clipped it back in and I was happy to get a foot on it and put it in the net," said Kelly.

Memphis improved to 1-1 with its only loss to No. 8 SMU while Temple fell to 1-2. The Tigers are in sole possession of third in the AAC behind 2-0 SMU and 1-0 Tulsa and ahead of No. 14 UCF, Temple and USF, all at 1-2.

"I am pleased we were able get three points on the road at a tough place to play," said head coach Richard Mulrooney. "Temple really made it difficult and at times really put us on our heels. But we were able to stick together and grind it out. Fortunately, Luke was able to find a golden goal for us."

With temperatures in the low 40s and snowbanks surrounding the pitch, junior preseason All-AAC selection Gurman Sangha put the Tigers ahead 1-0 with a ninth-minute rocket into the upper right corner of the net. It was Sangha's sixth career goal, and the Tigers' first goal of the season.

Temple equalized in the 71^st minute on a header from Mike Eijgendaal on an assist from Sean Karani, just four minutes after Tiger keeper Parker Lackland made a huge diving save. Lackland, who was credited with five saves, made an incredible one-on-one stop from a Karani shot inside the box with 10 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime.

"Me and Ntezey got caught in an awkward situation, but Ntezey had good positioning on the player and it allowed me to make the save on the near post," said Lackland.

Temple outshot Memphis 14-8, but the Tigers had eight shots on goal to the Owls' six. Temple had a 5-2 edge in corners while Memphis had 13 fouls to Temple's seven.

It marked the third straight game in the series that Memphis and Temple played a double overtime game as the Owls won the previous two last season by identical 2-1 scores. The Owls eliminated the Tigers in the AAC Tournament quarterfinals last season.

The Tigers and Owls were both predicted to finish in a tie for fourth in the preseason American Athletic Conference poll.

Originally scheduled for last Saturday in Memphis, the game was postponed due to inclement weather and was switched to Philadelphia. The Owls will make a return trip to Memphis on March 27.

Memphis returns to action this Saturday in a rematch with No. 8 SMU in Dallas at 7 p.m.

For more information on the Memphis men's soccer team, follow the Tigers on Facebook (/MemphisSoccer), Twitter (@MemphisMSoccer) and Instagram (@MemphisMSoccer).