2011 Men's Soccer Mizzou State
Sept. 2, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis takes to the pitch against Missouri State Sunday evening at Mike Rose Soccer Complex, as head coach Richie Grant attempts tie the all-time record for career wins.
Memphis comes into the contest having won its first two matches of the season, a 3-2 win at Belmont (09-01-11) and a 4-1 home victory over Lipscomb (08-28-11). The Tigers are seeking their first 3-0 start since the 2005 season when they opened 4-0.
Missouri State enters the match after losing to both Tulsa (09-01-11) and Belmont (08-27-11) by 2-1 margins.
The series between Memphis and Missouri State is tied at 4-4-1. The Tigers took three of the first four games and the Bears have taken three of the last four in the series.
Richie Grant has amassed 109-career wins while at Memphis. He currently trails Chris Bartels, whom he replaced in 1999, as the leader in program victories. Grant, in his 13th season as Memphis' head coach, won the Conference USA crown in 2004 and has twice been named C-USA Coach of the Year (2000, 2004).
Game Notes
• Two-and-Oh!
Memphis is 2-0 to start the season for the fifth time in Grant's tenure as head coach, but first since 2007. Under Grant, the Tigers' best starts were the 4-0 beginnings in the 2005 and 2002 campaigns.
• Grant Within One of All-Time Mark
Head coach Richie Grant, with 109 wins as coach of the Memphis Tigers, stands just one win shy of tying Chris Bartels as the all-time leader in victories as coach of the men's soccer program. Grant, the third coach in the 29 year his¬tory of the program, is entering his 13th season at Memphis.
• Head-to-Head: Belmont
Following Thursday's 3-2 come-from-behind victory against Belmont, Memphis improved to 11-1 all-time versus the Bruins. The Tigers have outscored the Bruins 46-8 in the 12 matchups.
• Take Two!
Memphis has won its last 20 games when scoring at least two goals, including this year's wins at Belmont and versus Lipscomb The streak stretches back to the 2007 season, when the Tigers played to a 3-3 tie against then-No. 14 Tulsa. Excluding ties, the Tigers are unbeaten in a total of 27-straight games when tallying two goals. Memphis' last loss when scoring at least two goals occurred in 2006 at the hands of Creighton (Nov. 7) by a score of 3-2.
• Lucky Number 7
On the season, Memphis has recorded seven goals and seven assists. In all, eight players have tallied points for the Tigers: Mark Sherrod (5), Parker Duncan (4), Liam Collins (4), Andreas Guentner (3), Lewis Ellis (2), Cody McCoy (1), Thomas Shannon (1) and Jordan Johnson (1).
• Three's Company
Currently, there are three teams, Memphis, Kentucky and UAB, with unblemished, 2-0, records atop the Conference USA standings. Memphis has beaten Belmont (09-01-11) on the road and Lipscomb (08-28-11) at home. Kentucky defeated both No. 9 Michigan (08-28-11) and Dayton (08-26-11) at home. UAB recorded victories at Mercer (09-01-11) and against Clemson (08-27-11). UCF is also unbeaten at 1-0.
• The Tigers vs. The Bears
Memphis has taken to the pitch nine previous times against Missouri State, and the two teams have a 4-4-1 series record. Memphis won three of the first four meetings, but Missouri State has taken three of the last four, including last season's 2-0 shutout in Springfield, Mo.
• Scouting Missouri State
Missouri State has opened its season dropping both of their contests with identical 2-1 scores. On September 1, Missouri State dropped a home contest against Tulsa. Missouri State fell in its season-opening game against Belmont on August 27. The Bears have outshot their opponents, 27-16, on the season.
