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No. 19 Saint Louis Defeats Memphis in Exhibition Match, 2-0 8/23/08

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mso.jpegST. LOUIS, Mo. -The Memphis men’s soccer team finished off their 2008 exhibition season with a 2-0 loss to the NSCAA Preseason No. 19 ranked Saint Louis Billikens. The Tigers finish the exhibition season with a mark of 1-1, after defeating Christian Brothers University last weekend, 4-2.


“I think it is fair to say that the better team won the match today,” Head Coach Richie Grant said. “We are a better team now because of this game. I think we really got a good idea tonight on where we are at as a team and what we need to improve on in the coming weeks.”


The Tigers held the Billikens scoreless for 62 minutes, until Scott Wisniewski, a junior from Dallas, Texas, scored from 12 yards out off of a Rob Viviano assist.


“I thought our back four really played a good game tonight,” Grant said. “They really minimized Saint Louis’ scoring chances. This team has a real fight in them when it comes to protecting the goal.”


Saint Louis solidified a victory in the final minute of play when Jimmy Holmes dribbled the ball in and scored on a shot from 15 yards out against Memphis backup goalkeeper Jordan Leedle, a freshman from Franklin, Tenn.


Michael Goodlett, the starter in goal for the Memphis Tigers, played 79 minutes in goal for the U of M. He recorded five saves and allowed Wisniewski’s goals for the Billikens. In the 54th minute, Goodlett won a one on one dual with Saint Louis’ Dado Hamzagic. Hamzagic dribbled the ball into the box and attempted to get the ball past Goodlett, but Goodlett stopped Hamzagic in his tracks.


The Billikens took 12 shots compared to the Tigers’ two.


Pat Disbennett earned the victory in goal for Saint Louis, while Goodlett received the loss.


Grant addressed his concerns about Memphis’ lack of scoring opportunities


“We need to be more creative with the ball,” Grant said. “We also need to be more careful with the ball. Tonight the guys gave the ball away very easily. This is just one of the things that needs to be worked on. We have learned a lot of things about this team in both of our exhibition matches and will work on those issues heading forward into the regular season.”


Memphis will open the regular season on Friday with a 7:30 match against NSCAA Preseason No. 21 Bradley. Bradley is 0-1 on the season after a loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The game marks the first match for Memphis in the Memphis Diadora Tournament.

	
Posted by rakuette | Filed under Men's Soccer,  Soccer