Men's Soccer Falls To UCF In Regular-Season Finale

Friday, April 9

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

2-8-0, 2-8-0

UCF

7-3-0, 7-3-0

UCF

Memphis

Photo by: Eric Glemser

Apr 10, 2021 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Memphis-UCF Boxscore

Tigers honored five seniors prior to the match.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. –After more than a two-hour inclement weather delay, the University of Memphis men's soccer team took the field for its regular-season finale versus UCF late Friday night at the Billy J. Murphy Soccer/Track and Field Complex. The Tigers dropped a 3-0 decision to the Knights in American Athletic Conference action.

Prior to the weather delay and start of the match, the Tigers honored their five seniors. The seniors are: Alexandros Ierides, Luke Biasi, Edgar Alaniz, Chris Mikus, and Garrett Blume.

The UofM ends its 2020-21 season with a 2-8 record. With the win, UCF claimed the AAC regular-season title and now hosts the league's tournament in Orlando, Florida, next weekend. The Knights enter the postseason with a 7-3 record.

Memphis had the match's first great scoring opportunity early in the first half. The Tigers earned a corner kick in the sixth minute, and Michael Chappelear lofted a serve to the right side of the box. Maliek Howell went high for the header, but his attempt to bounce the ball in for the score bounded off the ground and over the crossbar.

The Knights got on the scoreboard first in the 24^thminute when Gino Vivi scored the first of his two goals on the night. Anderson Rosa sent a cross into the box where the ball fell in the midst of a scramble. Vivi found the loose ball, and his chip shot attempt from in front of the net gave UCF a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers nearly answered the UCF goal with three solid chances in a three-minute span (32:00-35:05). Artur De Luca (20 yards out) and Chappelear (15 yards out) each rocketed shots that were saved by UCF goalkeeper Yannik Oetti. De Luca and Chappelear then played a "give-and-go" game that set up Chappelear with a scoring attempt. His shot, though, slid just wide of the right post.

The first half was played nearly to a draw as each squad had four shots, and Memphis earned the lone corner kick.

After intermission, UCF got the cushion it needed 10 minutes in. Jonas Schmalbach took the ball down the left side of the box to the end line and drew the attention of UofM goalkeeper Parker Lackland. Schmalbach then passed it to Hattabiou Barry, who scored from six yards out straight away.

The Knights added their final goal eight minutes later on Vivi's second of the match for the 3-0 final.

The UofM outshot UCF 13-8, and also held a 3-1 corner kick advantage. Lackland made four saves for the Tigers, while Oetti collected seven stops.

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