March 5, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A young Memphis men's soccer squad took to the pitch at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex for the first time this spring for an exhibition match with cross-town rival Christian Brothers. The match ended in a 1-1 draw with both team's connecting on penalty kicks to knot up the score.

Christian Brothers got on the board first with a third minute goal from Clark Bradford, a junior for the Buccaneers last season who originally hails from Blackburn, England.

The U of M evened the score in the 81st minute when Rory O'Connor scored on a penalty kick. O'Connor, a junior-to-be from Dublin, Ireland, is looking to help replace C-USA first team selection Michael Coburn as a key defender for the Memphis backfield. Along with Coburn the Tigers also lost five other seniors to graduation. Thursday's starting line-up included seven players who were freshman for the U of M last season.

Michael Goodlett played 90 minutes in goal with one save and one goal allowed.

O'Connor, Cody McCoy and Thomas Shannon all finished the match with two shots. O'Connor, McCoy, Shannon and Bradley Jacobs each finished with one shot on goal. Memphis had four shots on goal compared to two shots on goal for CBU. McCoy's shot on goal came on a penalty kick which was saved by the Christian Brothers goalkeeper.

The Tigers will continue their spring season with a match against NAIA National Champion Bethel on March 21st at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis. The Tigers are 0-1-1 so far this spring with a loss to FC Dallas of Major League Soccer and a tie with CBU.