Aug. 25, 2006

Box Score and Play-by-Play

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LOUISVILLE, Kent.- Finding themselves down 3-0 after 47 minutes of play, the University of Memphis men's soccer team rallied for three second half goals to send the season's opening match to overtime. Four minutes into the extra period, senior defender Jamie Gilbert found the back of the net to give the Tigers (1-0-0) a hard-fought 4-3 win over former Conference USA rival Louisville (0-1-0).

However, Gilbert's game-winning tally would not have been possible without the performances of juniors Kevin Walsh and Jared Britcher. The Cardinals got off to a quick start thanks to a goal by junior forward Frank Jonke and a pair of goals by junior midfielder David Guzman, but Walsh and Britcher provided an answer.

Walsh, who transferred from Christian Brothers University last semester, started the comeback with a goal in the 65 minutes into his Tiger debut.

Britcher kept things going by heading in his first goal of the season in the 68th minute. Walsh and sophomore Robert Sausaman each helped set up the score to collect their first assists of the year. Britcher went on to notch his second goal 1:27 later off an assist from sophomore Grant Wise to even the score at 3-3.

With neither side able to break through in the final minutes of the second half, the match went to overtime. Four minutes into the extra period, Walsh sank a free kick over the Louisville defense and found another transfer making his Tiger debut. Gilbert, who transferred from Vanderbilt after the 2005 season, was there to drive a header into the net for the win.

Freshman goalkeeper Michael Goodlett got the start, and the win, in his first collegiate match by recording three saves on six shots on goal.

"It was a very exciting match. I'm proud of the way our lads were able to come back after being down 3-0. A win like this is a strong foundation for the rest of the season," head coach Richie Grant said. "At the same time there are things we need to work on, because being down three goals isn't a situation we want to be in."

The Tigers will stay on the road this weekend when they take on the Belmont Bruins in Nashville on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. The Tigers will return to Memphis to open their home schedule Friday, Sept.1, when they take on Clemson in the Memphis Diadora Tournament.