Oct. 2, 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -
Match Notes Memphis/SMU 
The Memphis men's soccer team will travel to Dallas, Texas, this weekend to face-off with conference rival SMU on Sun., Oct. 4 at 5 p.m., at Westcott Field. The match will be broadcast live on CBS College Sports. Jason Knapp (Play by Play) and Richard Broad (Color Analyst) will have the call for CBS C. Memphis enters the match with a 4-1-2 record record. The Tigers are 1-0-0 in Conference USA play after defeating the UCF Knights last Saturday in Memphis. SMU comes into Sunday's fixture with a mark of 4-4-1. The Mustangs are 0-0-1 in Conference USA play with their only result being a 1-1 tie against UAB.
"First of all we're very excited that it is a match that is covered by CBS College Sports," said Memphis head coach Richie Grant. "It is really nice to have a couple of games on television so that is a big boost for us. We have done well on television this year. I think it is something that our players enjoy."
Memphis' potent offense is led by Parker Duncan, a sophomore forward from Johnson City, Tenn. Duncan came into the week leading Conference USA in points with 11 on the season. He leads the Tigers with four goals and three assists this season. Duncan has scored 10 goals and tallied four assists since coming on strong for the Tigers last year in the U of M's 2-1 overtime upset of the No. 15 SMU Mustangs. It was pointed out several times by the CBS C commentators of the constant pressure that Duncan put on the SMU defense. It was a foul by an SMU player against Duncan to the right of the goal box that set up a free kick by Sean Goulding that Michael Coburn headed in for the exciting game-winner.
Memphis' offense has gotten a big boost from several freshmen this season. The Tiger freshmen class has accounted for seven of 13 goals this season. Leading the charge have been forward J.J. Greer, a native of Cordova, Tenn., and Jon Wright, a midfielder from Tulsa, Okla. Greer is currently sixth in the nation in assists per game. The creative passer has five assists through seven games this season. He is currently two assists of the national leader. Wright, is second on the team in goals with three this season. The Tigers have also gotten goals from freshman midfielder Justin Watson (2) and freshman midfielder/defender Andreas Guentner (1). Watson was a US U-18 National Team member last season before arriving in the Bluff City from Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The Tiger offense is averaging 40 shots compared to 31 for their opponents. Memphis is averaging 50 corner kicks to 29 for opponents.
Memphis' defense has been led by talented centerbacks Rick Alleman and Rory O'Connor so far this season. The Tiger defense has also gotten a big boost from freshmen Guentner, a native of Regensburg, Germany, and Jordan Johnson, a product of Hendersonville, Tenn. The U of M will be without O'Connor this weekend due to a red card he received for an altercation last weekend against UCF. Guentner will move back to O'Connor's centerback position. Filling the role vacated by Guentner at fullback will be Ryan Ruble, a midfielder from Lee's Summit, Mo. Ruble was recruited as a fullback before moving to forward as a freshman. Ruble has played outside midfielder this season.
Michael Goodlett has been the Tiger netminder for all seven games this season. The senior from Bolton, Miss., has three shutouts this season while posting a 1.21 goals against average. Goodlett has 22 saves on the season.
SMU has been led this season by senior Dane Saintus who has accounted for six goals and tallied four assists. He tallied a hat-trick earlier this week in SMU's 4-1 win over Centenary. Saintus, a native of Arlington, Texas, was an All-C-USA second team performer in 2007. Saintus has three goals and three assists last season for the Mustangs. Preseason All-C-USA selection Paulo da Silva, originally from Piracicaba, Brazil, has three goals and one assist for Coach Tim McClements' squad. Sophomore midfielder Payton Hickey is currently tied with Memphis' Greer for the conference lead in assists with five. The Mustangs are averaging 50 shots on goal to 38 for their opponents. SMU is also averaging 43 corner kicks to 34 for their oppoents.
Craig Hill returns as the Mustangs' goalkeeper for the 2009 season. The junior from San Antonio, Texas, has a 1.19 goals against average and 25 saves.
Memphis is 1-5-0 all-time against SMU with their only win coming last year against the No. 15 SMU Mustangs. The Tigers are 2-1-1 all-time in televised matches.
Memphis played Bradley to a 1-1 tie earlier this season in Fox Soccer Channel's "NSCAA Men's Soccer Game of the Week". The Tigers two television wins came against SMU in 2008 and UAB to win the 2004 Conference USA Tournament. Memphis' only loss came against No. 11 Tulsa last season in a game televised by CBS College Sports.
"It is a massive game with only four teams going to the tournament, each point is precious," Grant said. " It is a match where we feel coming off a good performance (against UCF), we are coming in with a bit of confidence. SMU is a very difficult opponent. They are always a top team and it is even more difficult the fact that it is away from home. We have had to reshuffle some things with Rory (O'Connor) being out (due to the red card he received against UCF).I think our players are excited to play."
View an All-Access interview with Memphis forward Parker Duncan by clicking here
