Oct. 25, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis men’s soccer team will embark on its last road trip of 2010 this week, with the first match coming Tuesday at Missouri State. The Tigers will take on the Bears in a 7 p.m. match at Plaster Sports Complex in Springfield, Mo.

Despite being officially eliminated from the C-USA Tournament, Memphis will spend the final four matches building for next season and playing spoiler for any potential C-USA contenders. With a trip to South Carolina looming, Saturday, and the season’s final match against UAB, Nov. 5, the Tigers will have ample opportunity to play spoiler in the season’s final days.

Missouri State looms as a potential salvaging point for Memphis, who still seeks its first road victory of 2010. The Bears are another low-scoring squad (only 14 goals as a team through 12 matches) that capitalizes on its chances and stellar goal keeping from Alex Riggs, who has five shutouts and 58 saves while only allowing 10 goals. He’s been on the pitch for all but five minutes of the Bears 2010 season.

For the Tigers, a season of promise has been beset by injury, inexperience and bad luck. In addition to juniors Thomas Shannon and Tiago Reichert being out for the season with leg injuries, sophomore Hugo Mondragon sprained an MCL that will keep him out until at least the season finale against UAB.

Seniors Rory O’Connor and Eric Trujillo will embark on their last road trips as Tigers before participating in Senior Night, Nov. 5, when the Tigers take on UAB. That match will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel’s “NSCAA Game of the Week”.

Van Dyck named top-100 freshman

Freshman defender Maxim Van Dyck, a native of Blankenberge, Belgium, was rated the 86th-best freshman in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com's panel of experts. The left-booted Van Dyck has started 10 matches and played in all 14 for the Tigers so far, assisting on two goals and becoming the point man for free kicks and corners.

The University of Memphis is pleased to announce it has won the right to host the 2010 Conference USA Men's Soccer Tournament. The top six regular-season finishers will battle for the championship at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex, Nov. 10-14.

Grant approaches career wins mark

Coach Richie Grant enters this match with 105 victories, five shy of tying predecessor Chris Bartels for most in men's soccer history.