Aug. 17, 2007

The University of Memphis men's soccer teams begins the 2007 season tonight as the Tigers kick off their preseason schedule against Lambuth University at Mike Rose Soccer Complex at 7:00 pm.

The Tigers last faced Lambuth in the spring of 2006 in the Tim McCage Cup. The Tigers won the match 3-0, due in large part to strong efforts on the parts of younger players like Tripp Harkins, Michael Coburn and Adam Montgomery.

Head Coach Richie Grant coached the Eagles for four years (1995-99) before taking over the Tiger program. Grant posted a 53-29-2 record at Lambuth and took the team to two Mid-South Conference championships and an NAIA Region XI championship.

Current Lambuth Coach Paul Conway was a standout for Grant with the Eagles and served as an assistant with Grant and the Tigers after graduating from Lambuth.

"Coach Conway has put a very good squad together," said Grant, expecting a competitive match tonight from his former school.

Conway has earned a 36-35-2 record at Lambuth and is coming off a 7-8 mark in 2006.

The Tigers will face cross-town rival Christian Brothers University on Sunday. That game kicks off at 7:00 pm, as well. Memphis lost to CBU in their last meeting, the championship game of the 2007 Tim McCage Cup. The Bucs took a 2-1 lead late in the match and held on to win.

Coach Grant looks forward to facing CBU, as this match provides good calibration heading into the 2007 regular season.

"This is a game we've always looked to in preseason to find out what we have," said Grant.

The Tigers begin the regular season Friday, August 31, as they host Louisville, Evansville and Oral Roberts in the Memphis Diadora Tournament.