The University of Memphis men’s soccer team (8-7-4, 2-4-1 American Athletic Conference) won in a 3-0 upset victory against South Florida but fell just short against SMU, co-regular season champions, in a 1-2 loss in overtime in the AAC Tournament semifinal game. Memphis came in as the last seed but proved their seeding didn’t define their performance.
While the Tigers aren’t guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament, head coach Richard Mulrooney said he was still happy with his team.
“(I’m) proud of the guys,” Mulrooney said. “I wouldn’t change anything about how it went besides the result. It’s supposed to hurt. The guys are feeling it now, but that’s why you play. If you didn’t have any emotions, then what’s the point?”
The team started the AAC Tournament hosted by UCF, co-conference champions, this Tuesday against USF. The teams met twice in four days, and although USF defeated the Tigers 2-0, Memphis earned their revenge.
It was a near repeat for the Tigers, as they conceded a goal in the 33rd minute. In the 38th minute, senior midfielder David Zalzman, who earned All-Conference First Team honors, took a calm penalty to even the score.
The game was looking to go into overtime until redshirt sophomore midfielder Chris Mikus put one touch on the ball and scored, giving Memphis the lead in the 81st minute. The assist came from freshman midfielder Gurman Sangha, who was named All-Rookie Team player. He wasn’t done leading the offense at the end of the game, as he dribbled the ball in the box, beating a few defenders to get a shot in by the left post to put a dagger in Bulls’ hearts.
Memphis was outshot 14-10 by USF, but they scored three out of their five shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Parker Lackland made a career-high seven saves in the match to keep the team in the game.
“I’m very proud of how he showed up,” Mulrooney said. “It’s not easy being a true freshman in these circumstances, but we all have confidence in him.”
The Tigers had a harsh start, as they put constant pressure on SMU during the AAC Tournament semifinal game against the Mustangs last night. They maintained most of the possession in the first half and were more dominant, giving themselves more opportunities to score.
It paid off as Memphis scored in the 18th minute when sophomore forward Alexandros Ierides got a strong shot off outside the box, and a deflection from an SMU defender put it in the back of the net. Sangha had his second assist in the Tournament with the goal.
Mulrooney said he was excited for his team’s future with the experience they earned from this year.
“I’m going to have a well-experienced team next year, and I think the experience of them going this large is going to pay off for us.”
The Tigers owned the first half until SMU evened the game in the 44th minute, stunning Memphis. The Tigers had plenty of chances to score more throughout the game with 15 shots and four on target, but their trouble finishing the ball haunted them again in the semifinal.
“We had some opportunities,” Mulrooney said. “It’s the type of thing where the other day, we finished three of them, and tonight we were only able to get one.”
The second half was dominated more by SMU, but Memphis kept their composure, and the game went into overtime. The game was decided by a goal that was chipped over the Memphis defenders. Lackland stepped back as fast as he could, but he couldn’t stop the ball from bouncing into the goal. SMU made a 2-1 comeback victory.
Memphis has more than likely played their last game of the 2018 season, finishing at 8-7-4. They won four more games this year than last year and are hopeful to continue that improvement going into next year.
Gurman Sangha, freshman midfielder, tries to dribble past an SMU defender. Sangha earned All-Rookie Team honors and finished with a goal and two assists in the AAC Championship.
Parker Lackland, freshman goalkeeper, punts the ball to start the Tiger offense. Lackland finished the AAC Championship with three saves against SMU and a career high seven against USF.
