The last three seasons under head coach Richie Grant have been a learning curve for the Memphis men’s soccer team.
The Tigers have been using those lessons to jump out to a 4-0 start, after finishing last season 6-9-2.
Grant said the team has been using the tough losses from last season as motivation to win close games this year.
“If you’re not learning each year you are doing something wrong,” Grant said. “We have really learned how to win the close game. We are finding a way to win the games.”
Close games quickly became a trend for the Tigers. Memphis beat TCU 3-2 in double overtime in the season opener.
Another double overtime affair with San Francisco saw the Tigers win 2-1, and Memphis squeaked out a 2-1 victory over Northeastern.
The Tigers dominated Lipscomb 7-0 Thursday to improve to 4-0.
The 4-0 start is the best in start since the 1993 season, the last season the Tigers went to the NCAA tournament.
Grant said the successful start can be contributed to the squad’s attitude during and after games.
“We are playing very much like a team together on and off the field,” Grant said.
Sophomore defender Jake German can see the team unity, although he has been watching from the sideline.
German, expected back next week, said the team has a better approach entering games from last season.
“The attitude is the biggest difference from last year,” German said. “We just go out there and do what we have to do. The guys are in practice everyday going out there and give it their all. They don’t want to lose.”
German said the newfound spirit of the team was evident in the tough win over San Francisco.
“It shows a lot of character when you are down two player in a game,” German said. “We only had nine guys and ended up winning. It took the whole team to win the game.”
Goalkeeper Clark Talley has been a key contributor to the team shutting down opposing offenses.
Talley has given up an average of one goal per game and pitched a shutout against Lipscomb.
Talley said his reliable goalkeeping coincides with great team play in front of him.
“It really is team unity,” Talley said. “Everybody has been coming together playing as a solid unit.”
The 6-1, 215 pound junior said he is ready to keep the winning streak going and get pay back against Cincinnati for last season’s 1-0 loss.
“We loss to them last year,” Talley said. “It is almost revenge for the upperclassmen and for the freshman they can really show themselves.”
With this showcase game, the Tigers will be away from the friendly confines of the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
The Tigers have eight straight games on the road, starting Saturday against Cincinnati and ending Oct. 13 at UNC Willmington.
