The best wasn't saved for last for The University of Memphis men's soccer seniors.
Unable to win the Conference USA tournament for a second straight year, the seniors weren't able to improve on last year's performance and end their career on a high. Last year Memphis, along with many of the same players on this year's team, won the most matches ever by a Memphis team (16), won the C-USA tournament and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament.
This year, however, was a bit more disappointing.
The Tigers lost seven games by just one goal and lost the eighth by two. The 89th minute was a nightmare for the Blue and Gray. Against SMU, UAB and Marshall the Tigers gave up a goal in the final minute to lose each contest.
In their last team meeting before the winter, head coach Richie Grant told the team to keep their heads up and that the team did well this season, according to sophomore defenseman Michael Coburn.
It could be the last meeting for the seniors, just four days after their last game with Memphis across their chest.
"It ended kind of sudden," said senior forward Dayton O'Brien.
Throughout Friday's 2-1 loss to South Carolina in the second round of the C-USA tournament, O'Brien could have never known it would be his last game.
The same could probably be said for the other seniors, Andy Metcalf, Cormac McArdle, Gary Connelly and Stephen Cooling.
Their career is over, but they will be remembered by what they've left behind, a conference title and experience.
"The seniors have been through the ups and downs," said Coburn. "It's going to be hard to replace them because they're such good players."
Good may not be a strong enough word to describe the production the seniors gave the Tigers' squad in 2005.
The seniors combined for 37 percent of the scoring, 56 percent of the assists and 43 of the total points (2 per goal and 1 per assist).
Getting the most out of seniors was Grant's job, and according to O'Brien, he was one of the best.
"He's one of the best coaches I've ever had, not only in soccer, but in teaching life (skills)," O'Brien said. "You couldn't have asked for a better environment."
Next year's environment will be one of youth and adjustment.
With no juniors on the current roster, next year's team will have no one that has been with Memphis for four years.
Scoring options for next year include, Jared Britcher, Tripp Harkins and Marcus McCarty.
On the defensive side of the ball, Michael Coburn will be called upon to be a different maker and a leader.
"He was an anchor back there all year," said O'Brien. "They're going to have a huge asset in him."
According to Coburn, there is also an asset in having no seniors in 2006.
"We'll have the same team for two years," he said. "We'll be a strong solid team."
