Nov. 1, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -
Marshall Box Score PDF 
The Memphis Tigers were defeated, 2-1, by the Marshall Thundering Herd on Saturday night at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Tigers move to 6-10-1 with the loss, and now have a conference split of 3-4-0. Marshall is now 3-10-1, with a conference record 3-4-0. Saturday's match was the final home game for six Memphis seniors.
"I think we know at this stage to be two goals behind is an awful lot to come back from, so we made it very difficult for ourselves to come back," said Head Coach Richie Grant. "I thought the character and the fight back was great, it was kind of what we expected. We know going into the conference tournament we don't want to leave ourselves with a two goal deficit.
The scoring was kicked off in the sixth minute of the contest when Marshall scored an own goal. The ball bounced off of defender Rick Alleman over the outstretched arms of Memphis goalkeeper Michael Goodlett.
Marshall had three shots to Memphis' four shots in the first half. The Thundering Herd had two corner kicks to the Tigers' three first half corner kicks.
In the second period, Marshall's Jordan Hilgefort got a hold of the ball inside the Memphis goal box and put it past Goodlett. The goal was Hilgefort's first goal of the season. The assist came from Dustin Dawes.
Memphis had a chance at a goal when a foul was called in the box in the second period. Memphis senior Sean Goulding attempted a free kick but the ball was kick high and right.
The Tigers got on the board in the 75th minute on a Goulding free kick that was headed in by Memphis freshman Bradley Jacobs. The goal is Jacobs' second goal of the season and is his second in two games. He scored his first goal of the season on Wednesday night against Central Arkansas. The assist was Goulding's fifth of the year.
The Tigers had another chance later in the second half when a Parker Duncan header was saved by a Marshall defender on the line.
Marshall goalkeeper Greg Walter picked up the win and is now 3-10-0 on the year. Goodlett took the loss for the Tigers. The junior had one save in the game and is now 6-9-1 on the year.
Saturday night's contest was the last home game for Memphis seniors Michael Coburn, Sean Goulding, Tripp Harkins, Thomas Hyland, Jordan Lynn and Robert Sausaman. The six seniors have led Memphis to three Top 25 rankings and two ten win seasons in their time at Memphis.
Also on Saturday, Memphis welcomed back several former soccer players as they competed on the pitch of the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in the Tigers' annual alumni game. The alumni game is a part of Memphis' Tommy Smith Alumni Weekend that included Friday night's Tommy Smith Banquet. The 2008 Tommy Smith Award was given to Memphis defender Thomas Hyland.
The Tigers will finish up the conference season against Kentucky next Friday. The Wildcats are currently in second place in the conference.
