Memphis Hosts UCA Before Traveling to UConn

WHAT: Match 8
WHO: Central Arkansas at Memphis
WHEN: 7 p.m. CT, Sept. 30, 2015
WATCH: Memphis Tiger Network
STATS: StatBroadcast
TWITTER: @MemphisMSoccer

WHAT: Match 9
WHO: Memphis at UConn
WHEN: 6:00 p.m. CT, Oct. 3, 2015
WATCH: H uskyVision
STATS: G ameTracker
TWITTER: @MemphisMSoccer

Memphis will cap off its second home stand of the season by hosting Central Arkansas Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Tigers will then head back on the road and return to conference play against UConn Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

"We have taken a step in the right direction," Memphis head coach Richard Mulrooney said. "Obviously we wanted to win, being at home, but considering how the game started the guys responded well and I'm proud of them. Coming from behind to get a tie is something to build on."

The Tigers try to build off of their second-half performance against UCF last weekend, in which they scored two goals and earned a draw to open conference play.

The reigning American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week, Mason Morise, was the provider on both of Memphis' goals against the Knights. With a goal and two assists this season, Morise has had a hand in all of the Tigers' goals so far.

Fellow freshman Jacob Krupp scored Memphis' first goal and Raul Gonzalez was able to put away the game-tying goal, which was his fourth career goal.

"In practice this week the guys have been buzzing. The confidence is there and we're scoring more goals in practice. Confidence is huge and winning changes everything, and even though we didn't win it felt like one and we're looking to build on that," said Mulrooney.

Central Arkansas has had a tough start to the season and the Bears bring a 1-7 record into Memphis. The Bears are led junior forward by Wes Carson who has scored five of the team's six goals this season. Junior midfielder Alejandro Moquete has the other goal for UCA.

Turning back towards league play, the Tigers face the tough trip to UConn for Saturday night's game in Storrs, Connecticut. The Huskies opened conference play with a narrow, 1-0, loss to USF on the road last week.

Sporting one of the stoutest defenses in the nation, UConn opened the season with three consecutive scoreless draws. Goalkeeper Scott Levene has played every minute for UConn and allowed only six goals but has recorded four shutouts.

"There should be no pressure on us. From the adversity we've been through, we just need to go out and enjoy the game. Knowing how the guys played the second half against UCF we should have confidence," Mulrooney said.

After this weekend's matches the Tigers will play just four more at home. The next home contest will be against SMU, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

University of Memphis Athletics

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Raul Gonzalez

Jacob Krupp

Mason Morise

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