The Memphis Tigers won their second match of the weekend in shutout fashion against the Missouri State Bears 2-0, improving their record to 3-1 on the year and tying their win total from last season when the Tigers went 3-10.
Memphis was able to apply offensive pressure early in each half, scoring in the 13th and 51st minutes.
The Tigers played well defensively, forcing the Bears into poor shot selections. Junior goalkeeper Jake Leeker, who saved all seven of the Bears shots on target, recorded his third shutout of the season against Missouri State.
The Tigers had nine shot attempts with three on target, and both Memphis goals came from inside the penalty box.
“The goals were a product of good ball movement,” head coach Richard Mulrooney said.
“You can’t rely on individual play this game,” Mulrooney added. “There are 11 guys on the field, and that’s what this team is about.”
Junior Chandler Klemm got behind the defense and dropped off a pass to Hector Cantele, who scored the first goal.
Memphis’ second goal came as a result of Carlos Hurtado crossing the ball over the defense to Jackson Morse, a freshman from Plano, Texas, who brought the ball down and beat the keeper.
Morse, who scored in Friday’s game as well, leads the team with three goals on the year.
“As a freshman, the minutes you get is what you get,” Morse said. “I just put forth my best effort on the field, and so far I’ve been scoring goals.”
Coach Mulrooney is satisfied with the wins over the weekend.
“Winning in college soccer is not easy,” Mulrooney said. “It shows that the boys have taken care of themselves in preseason and over the summer.”
Next weekend, the Tigers travel to California to play in the San Diego State tournament where they will play Cal State Fullerton and San Diego State University. Memphis returns home for a three-match home stand September 14-24 at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
