Sept. 12, 2006

Box Score

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The No. 25 University of Memphis men's soccer team stretched their winning streak to three games after defeating the Central Arkansas Bears by a score of 2-0 on Tuesday night. Freshman goalkeeper Michael Goodlett recorded his second shutout of the season and the Tigers dominated offensively to improve to 5-1-0 on the season, and are 3-1 at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. It was the Tigers' second shutout in their last three games.

"I've been pleased with the way we've performed at home," head coach Richie Grant said. "Obviously, getting wins at the start of the season is important, and getting the clean sheet tonight was good."

Sophomore Shaun Goulding struck first for the Tigers at the 30 minute mark. Sophomore Jordan Lynn stole the ball near midfield to break up a Central Arkansas attack then fed Goulding who ran 20 yards and fired a shot into the Bears' net just outside the top of the box for his second goal of the season.

Goulding was active on the defensive side of the ball as well, as he chased down a Central Arkansas attacker on a breakaway and forced the shot wide of the net.

Freshman Brian Farrell increased the Memphis lead to 2-0 by notching his third goal of the season with seven minutes left in the first half. Junior Kevin Walsh drove down the right side, drawing two defenders before centering a pass to Farrell who was trailing the play. The Dunboyne, Ireland native drove home a shot from close-in to give the Tigers a 2-0 halftime lead.

Junior Jared Britcher subbed in late in the first half and nearly gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead, but his shot from the top of the box hit off the crossbar.

Defensively, freshman Michael Goodlett only had to record one save as the Tiger defense held the Bears to just one shot on goal.

Memphis came out on the attack in the second half, as Walsh and sophomore Tripp Harkins recorded shots on goal four minutes into the start of the half. However, Central Arkansas goalkeeper Matt Moore made a diving stop on Walsh's strike and Harkins' rebound attempt ricocheted off a Bears' defender.

However, the rest of the second half wound up being a defensive struggle as neither side could mount another serious attack. Once again, the Tiger defense stepped up as Sophomore Jordan Lynn and freshman Rick Alleman both broke up Central Arkansas attacks to preserve the shutout.

"Any time you're able to get a clean sheet, it looks good," Grant said. "But I think there is still work for us to do. You have to credit Central Arkansas, they really made it difficult for us in the second half."

The Tigers are now set to embark on a two-game road trip out west to face Air Force this Friday and Denver on Sunday. Memphis will open Conference USA play at South Carolina on Sept. 24. The next Tiger home game will be the C-USA home opener against Tulsa on Sept. 30.

"We have two more matches before we go into conference play and we need to have a good weekend," Grant said. "This trip, it's important that we get ourselves ready for Conference-USA."

MEMPHIS MAN OF THE MATCH

Michael Goodlett- The freshman from Bolton, Miss. recorded his second clean sheet of the season by stopping both shots on goal he faced. Goodlett also impressed the coaching staff by playing the ball well on corner kicks and coming out of the net to break up breakaway attacks in the box.

"Michael played very well tonight," head coach Richie Grant said. "I was really pleased with his performance and it was good to see him get his second clean sheet."