Sept. 16, 2006
DENVER, Colo.- In defeating Air Force 3-1 in Colorado Springs on Friday night, the No. 25 University of Memphis men's soccer team (6-1-0) opened the away portion of its schedule with three straight wins for the first time in school history. Now the Tigers will be looking to tie a school record by winning their fourth consecutive road match. Standing in the Tigers' way are the Denver Pioneers (4-2-1) winners of two-in-a-row and four of their last five. Kickoff is set for Sunday at Noon (CST).
"We know that they're a good team," head coach Richie Grant said after the Air Force win Friday night. "It's going to be another tough game, but we hope we can keep our momentum going."
The Tigers began the season with consecutive comeback overtime wins at Louisville (4-3 on Aug. 25) and Belmont (2-1 on Aug. 27). After a 3-1-0 home stand, the Tigers hit the road once again and turned back a second half Air Force rally to keep their streak alive.
Once again, the Tiger offense led the way, and, once again, junior midfielder Kevin Walsh provided a scoring presence for the Tigers. The Shrule, Ireland native scored on a free kick from the top of the box to ice the game. Walsh has now recorded a goal or assist in four-straight games and six of the first seven.
Walsh's goal backed up the play of junior forward Jared Britcher and senior defender Jamie Gilbert.
Britcher showed no lingering effects from an illness that sidelined him for three games. The Knoxville native recorded a goal in his second game back in the lineup.
Gilbert got the Tigers off to a quick start in the second half and provided the game-winner when he drilled home a shot from 18-yards out.
The Memphis attack has now recorded 12 goals in its last four games (3.0 goals per game average).
Denver is coming off a 1-0 Friday night win over Alabama A&M in its first home game of 2006. Freshman midfielder Collin Audley has led the Pioneers early this season, recording two goals in his team's first seven games. However, Denver has proven itself as a deep squad; with six other players recording a goal for the Pioneers.
After facing Denver, the Tigers will return to Memphis and rest up for the start of conference play. The Tigers will head out to South Carolina to open the Conference USA season on Sept. 24 against the defending C-USA Tournament champion Gamecocks.
Upcoming Milestones
Head Coach Richie Grant needs two more wins to reach 130 in his coaching career.
Senior Defender Jamie Gilbert is three starts away from 50 in his collegiate career.
Sophomore Midfielder Tripp Harkins needs two goals to reach 10 and one point to reach 20 in his career ... His next goal will be his fifth, setting a personal single season high (scored four goals as a freshman in 2005).
Sophomore Defender Thomas Hyland is three starts away from 25 in his career.
Junior Midfielder Adam Montgomery is four games away from playing 50 in his time at Memphis.
Junior Midfielder Kevin Walsh needs two goals to reach 15 collegiate goals ... Needs four assists to reach 15 in his college career ... Needs one goal to tie his single-season high (scored five goals in 2003, his freshman season at Christian Brothers University).
