The University of Memphis soccer teams have lost all of their home games in American Athletic Conference play.
The men’s team (5-4-4, 1-2-1 AAC) lost against Southern Methodist University 0-3 on Oct. 12, dropping to fifth in AAC standings. Meanwhile, the women’s team (12-3-0, 4-2 AAC) was defeated by the University of Central Florida 0-2 on Oct. 11 and the University of Southern Florida 0-2 on Oct. 14, ending their 10-game win streak and marking the first time they lost two games in a row since last year, when they also lost against UCF and USF.
The men were looking for their first win since Sept. 23 against SMU, but they couldn’t get the job done. SMU started the game communicating strong and keeping possession. The Mustangs scored first in the 14th minute, giving them control for the rest of the match.
“When you get outworked, and the quality isn’t there, you’re going to lose,” said Richard Mulrooney, head coach of the men’s soccer team. “That team beat us mentally and physically. They finished their chances and shut us down.”
Parker Lackland, a freshman goalkeeper, started before junior goalkeeper Tyler Hofmann after he took over for Hofmann in the last match against Central Arkansas, but he had a tough game after making six saves but allowed three goals.
The Tigers men’s team struggled toward the end, making four shots on goal out of their 16 total shots. They hope to get back on track against Tulsa in Oklahoma this Saturday at 7 p.m. to continue conference play. They play their final non-conference game of the year at Lipscomb next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The women’s team dropped crucial points against UCF and USF at home, finishing scoreless in both games for the first time this season.
“Where they beat us was in the fine details,” said Brooks Monaghan, head coach of the women’s team.
The women’s team started the game strong, with a shot within the first minute and two early corners, but a goal against them in the 21st minute set the Tigers back.
In the second half, the Tigers again came out strong with precision crosses in the 18-yard box, but it was not enough for them to tie the game. A long-distance goal in the 61st minute against Memphis sealed the game for UCF, giving the Tigers their first lost since Aug. 23, when they lost to Mississippi State.
The women’s team couldn’t bounce back last Sunday against No. 24 USF, and they lost 2-0. Although the Tigers attempted more than triple the shots the Bulls did, with 17 attempts from the Tigers compared to the Bulls’ five, USF scored two goals from their few shots.
“You have to finish your chances, and that’s what today came down to,” Monaghan said. “One, you have to create chances, and two, you have to finish them. It’s just a disappointing loss today.”
With these two losses, Memphis now falls out of the United Soccer Coaches Poll while receiving 26 votes to enter the top-25 again.
Memphis now seeks to end their two-game losing streak against UConn Thursday in Storrs, Connecticut to continue their fight to make the NCAA Tournament.
Clarissa Larisey drives with the ball in the open field. Larisey has played 15 games so far this season and is averaging 1.33 points per game
Artur De Luca (#3) looks for an open Memphis player to deliver a pass. The Tigers fell to SMU 0-3.
Stasia Mallin (#26) makes a run past a UCF defender. UCF ended the Tigers 10-game win streak last Thursday at Mike Rose Soccer Complex
