Oct. 8, 2011

Box Score

Memphis, Tenn.- The Memphis Tigers got back on the winning track downing Conference USA foe FIU 3-0 Saturday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Tigers improved to 1-2-0 in C-USA play and 6-3-1 overall, while the Panthers drop to 1-2-0 and 4-5-2. Memphis now holds a 4-3-0 advantage over FIU all-time.

The first half saw both teams get off to a slow start offensively with only one shot on goal taken in the first ten minutes on the game. The Tigers pounced first in the 16th minute when Cody McCoy took a shot on goal that was blocked then booted into the net by freshman Chandler Gagnon that gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead. The goal was the first of Gagnon's career as a Memphis Tiger. The goal also gave McCoy his second assist of the season.

Memphis added to their 1-0 lead over the Panthers in the 37th minute when another freshman Wil Linder found the back of the net. Mark Sherrod passed to Linder in front of the goal and as the Panther defense whiffed on a clear, Linder beat the FIU goalkeeper one on one for the goal to put the Tigers up 2-0. Like Gagnon, the goal was Linder's first career goal as a Tiger. So far this season 12 different players have scored points for Memphis.

Defensively, Memphis allowed five shots in the first half, as Tiger goalkeeper Connor Hurley recorded his 25th and 26th saves of the year. So far this season the Tigers have only allowed five goals and 40 shots total in the first half of games.

The second half saw more of the same from Linder as he recorded his second career goal in the 84th minute. After the Panther defense miscleared in front of the goal, the freshman midfielder collected the ball at the top of the box and booted past FIU goalkeeper Rodney Greiling at center to put the Tigers up 3-0.

The Memphis defense continued to keep the Panthers at bay as it only allowed three shots on goal in the second half and eight shots total on the night. Hurley finished the night with five saves, bringing his season total to 29, while recording his third shutout and sixth win of the year.

The Tigers return to the home pitch Tuesday, October 11 at 6:00 p.m. (CT) in a non-conference showdown with Nebraska-Omaha. The meeting with the Mavericks will be the first between both schools.