While a 4-2 record is not as flashy on paper, the Men’s soccer team has been making strides in the 2019 season with the most noteworthy being a 3-2 double-overtime win at the No. 10/11 Xavier Musketeers Saturday in their first true road match of the season. Senior forward Sam Ashton posted his first career hat trick in the game and became the first player to tally three goals since Raul Gonzalez (currently playing for Memphis 901 F.C.) back in 2015 against Central Arkansas.
“We knew what we were capable of, but saying that is different than doing it,” Head coach Richard Mulrooney said. “We were really pleased with the adversity to go 1-0 down, tie it up, to go 2-1 down, tie it up and get the game-winner. It was well deserved.”
The Tigers also posted a comfortable 2-0 win over the Belmont Bears Tuesday night. Junior midfielder Alexandros Ierides recorded his first two goals of the campaign to lead the team.
Ashton was also recognized by the American Athletic Conference as the Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against the Musketeers, and redshirt junior midfielder Chris Mikus was named into the Weekly Honor Roll for his two assists in the Xavier game for his first award of the season. Mikus earned the same nod twice last season.
Xavier Recap
The Musketeers were known as a sturdy defensive team as they were led by redshirt junior goalkeeper Matthew Rosenberg who allowed just three goals heading into the match. Despite being outshot by opponents 57-40 before their match against Memphis, Xavier was on the board first after they converted a penalty kick in the 14th minute. Defense was key in the first half for both teams as the score remained 1-0 in favor of the home team after 45 minutes.
The Tigers came out the gate strong in the second half as Ashton drove into the 18-yard-box and drew a penalty he converted shortly after in the 48th minute. The Musketeers did not take long to equalize after scoring from a direct free kick in the 50th minute. The senior forward then netted his second goal of the day in the 69th minute via a header to make it even at two.
After a scoreless remainder of the second half, the game went into overtime. Both teams could not find an opportunity in the first 15 minutes of extra-time, but Ashton found the golden goal in the 109th minute. Mulrooney knew what he was capable of and is hoping to see more production from the English forward.
“I expect nothing but that to continue the rest of the season and get even stronger because he is that type of player,” Mulrooney said.
Ashton now has a team leading five goals this year and one assist.
Belmont Recap
Tuesday’s game in Nashville went as expected for a confident Tigers’ team as they came off a huge win and are 15-1-1 all-time against the Bruins (undefeated since 1998).
Alexandros Ierides was the story of the night as he came off the bench to score seven minutes after being subbed in. He ended a goal short of a hat trick. The junior midfielder tallied his first goals of the campaign after netting just three goals in 2018. Ierides scored in the 44th and 57th minute with assists by Ashton and senior defender Jackson Morse.
Memphis held their own defensively to record their second clean sheet on the year, and sophomore keeper Parker Lackland now allows just 1.29 goals per game. The Dallas, Texas native did not record any saves in both shutouts this year as well.
What’s Next?
The Tigers now look ahead to another weekday matchup next Tuesday against St. Louis. They finally return to Memphis after their last home game Sept. 1 and will also play their final nonconference opponent of the year. The Billikens have a 2-2 record and will face Davidson Saturday before coming to the 901.
Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Billy J. Murphy Complex Tuesday night.
Alexandros Ierides makes a speedy run towards the enemy goal. Ierides scored a brace (two goals) in a 2-0 win over Belmont this past Tuesday.
Sam Ashton celebrates a goal. Ashton leads the team in goals with 5 so far this campaign, and the senior from Portsmouth, England tallied a hat trick at No. 10/11 Xavier last Saturday.
The Memphis Tigers Men's Soccer team celebrates a goal. The team has a 4-2 record that includes a win over No.10/11 Xavier.
