BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team was defeated on the road Sunday afternoon by the University of Memphis 1-0 at BBVA Compass Field. The loss moves the Knights to 2-1-1 on the season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Michael Mejia stopped four of five shots on goal in his first career start for FDU. The Knights return to action on Friday, September 7 when they head to Burlington to take on the University of Vermont.
"Although I certainly would have preferred a different result today, there are so many positives from this game, and from the entire weekend," head coach Seth Roland said. "Seven players got their first start of the season, as they are either returning from injuries or are guys pushing to break into the lineup. Additionally, three freshmen earned their first collegiate starts. We are working hard to develop a team where 20 or more players can feel confident stepping on the field and competing hard, and everyone got significant minutes. All in all, it was a very good trip."
The Tigers struck early to open things up in what was a very back and forth first half of play, squaring off against a Knights team that featured ten different starters from their late-night game against UAB Friday.
The Knights were denied an early goal off of a corner when Fredinho Mompremier's shot sailed wide in the 6'.
Memphis cashed in on their first quality look of the day in the 12', as Tiger forward Peyton McKnatt collected a ball in the box and neatly tucked it away behind an onrushing Mejia who had come out to challenge the shot.
The Tigers followed up the goal with a number of quality looks, however Mejia was able to handle everything to keep the score at 1-0.
The Knights steadily gained momentum and in the 26' nearly level after a flurry of scoring chances. Jacob Labovitz's strike was swallowed up by the Tigers keeper, as was Daniel Lasarte's several moments later after he followed up his own corner with a strike from in close.
Despite the quality of the chances, the Knights were unable to find the equalizer and the Tigers took a 1-0 lead into the locker rooms after 45 minutes of play.
The Knights continued to press for the tying goal in the second half, attempting to break down a Memphis defense that had so far proven impenetrable, however the Tigers again proved to be hard to break down.
The Knights were awarded several corners, first from Jeremy Despringre followed later by Lasarte, however nothing materialized. Mompremier had his effort blocked in the 79' as the Tigers closed things out to hold on for the 1-0 win.
"This was a typical Sunday game at a Tournament where you've played less than 40 hours before," Roland said. "A bit slow and uneven. We weren't bad, but we need to be sharper in our possession, and in our final passes to goal. We created some decent chances and their keeper made some pretty good saves. But we could've generated several more dangerous opportunities if we had been sharper."
