Tigers Back at Home to Host FIU

Saturday, September 23

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

FIU

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Sep 22, 2023 | Men's Soccer

By: Madison Hammond, Communications Intern

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - After two games on the road, the Memphis Tigers men's soccer team will be back at home against conference opponent FIU on Saturday evening.

Last week, Memphis (4-1-2, 0-1 AAC) traveled to Dallas and faced now 6^th ranked SMU.

The Mustangs found the back of the net twice, once in each half. In the closing minutes of the match, Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos would put Memphis on the board off the assist from Logan Longo however that is where the scoring would end as the Tigers dropped their first match of the season 2-1.

"Looking back, we're disappointed that we didn't put a better first half together," said head men's soccer coach Richard Mulrooney. "Give SMU credit for capitalizing and getting the lead, but I think our response from out talk at halftime was excellent. We learned a lot from that game and looking to move forward from it."

For the season, Rodrigues dos Santos leads the team with six goals while Jackson Kim has netted three of his own. Colin Welsh has been holding down the fort between the pipes with 17 saves in 530 minutes of work. The junior goalkeeper is sporting a 0.85 goals-against average, the third best in the AAC.

FIU (3-2-2, 1-0 AAC) is coming off a dominating 5-1 win over Temple where five different Panthers scored in their opening conference match.

FIU currently leads the conference in both shots on goal and scoring offense, but the Memphis defense and Welsh are ranked 2nd in the AAC. Only rivaling SMU's Cole Johnson, Welsh boasts the 2nd highest save percentage in the AAC (0.773), while FIU leads the conference in total goals (14).

"This is the most important game of the season. We know where we sit in the conference standings and we have to give a response after the SMU match," said Mulrooney.

All-time, the Tigers and Panthers are equaled at five wins apiece, with FIU winning the previous two games. In the last matchup, FIU would come away with a 1-0 win and advance to the 2022 AAC Conference Championship.

Saturday night's match is scheduled for a 7pm kickoff at the Track & Soccer Complex and can be streamed on ESPN+.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.