Aug. 20, 2002

Memphis, Tenn.-- The University of Memphis men's soccer team will open its 21st season with an exhibition match Wednesday against cross-town rival Christian Brothers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on the CBU campus. The Tigers are celebrating 20 years of men's soccer (1982-2002) this season and are just two victories shy of the 200-win plateau in regular season play.

This marks the second consecutive year the Tigers will open exhibition play against the Buccaneers after facing CBU in the regular season for 16 straight years. CBU recorded a 2-0 victory last season at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Memphis holds a 13-2-1 edge in the all-time regular season series versus the Division II school.

"Our players are looking forward to playing against someone else," third-year head coach Richie Grant said. "We've been in full training for a while now and the opportunity to play against a good opponent like CBU is exactly what we need."

Grant has led the Tigers to a 27-26-3 mark in three seasons. Memphis is coming off a seventh-place tie in the Conference USA standings in 2001 concluding the season with a final record of 6-9-2.

The Tigers return to action with their second and final preseason match Saturday at the Mike Rose Complex versus Evansville at 7 p.m. Memphis will open its regular season at home with a Conference USA match versus TCU on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. at the Mike Rose Complex.