Memphis Drops Heartbreaker to Evansville, 2-1, In Double-Overtime

Sherrod, Linder, McCoy Named to HGPC All-Tournament Team

PEORIA, Ill. – Memphis dropped its first contest of the season in a 2-1 double-overtime thriller against Evansville, when the Purple Aces found the back of the net with under 30 seconds remaining in the match. The Tigers finished as runner-up in the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic hosted by Bradley University during their 1-1 trip to Peoria, Ill.

Evansville’s Jesse Sharp made a run through the middle of the field and sent a pass to Dylan Terry on the right side of the box. Terry was able to bend a shot past Memphis’ Conor Hurley to give Evansville the victory with just 29 seconds remaining in the second overtime.

The Tiger’s started sluggishly and surrendered an early goal in the fourth-minute to the Purple Aces. Ryan Stallings beat Hurley as Evansville broke free with a two-on-one break. Memphis players stopped as they thought Evansville was offside, but no call was made. Sharp and Terry were credited with assists on the play.

Memphis would get the equalizer in the 26^th minute when Wil Linder sent a cross into the box from the right flank. Mark Sherrod ran to the far post and tapped the ball into the back of the net. This marks the second-straight game that Linder fed Sherrod for a goal, with the first coming on Sherrod’s shoeless goal in the 1-0 win over No. 18 Bradley.

Despite the slow start, Memphis rallied behind Sherrod’s goal and increased its intensity. The Tigers were able to maintain greater possession and control for the rest of the opening half.

Memphis and Evansville entered halftime with the score knotted, 1-1. Both teams attempted three shots, with one on goal, during the half. Memphis held the advantage, 2-0, in corner kicks.

The Tigers had several scoring chances in the second frame, but came away empty handed. Following a yellow card on Evansville’s Aaron Henkle, Liam Collin’s shot on the free kick was saved by Eric Teppen. Several moments later, Sherrod found Jordan Johnson, whose shot went wide left.

Collins would get yet another chance after Sherrod earned a foul just outside the Purple Aces’ box. Again, Teppen made the save on the Collins’ attempt. Memphis’ last chance in regulation came in the final minute, when Lewis Ellis collected a pass and fired a shot that was again saved by Teppen.

The first overtime was relatively uneventful as Evansville’s Sharp attempted the only shot, which he placed wide left.

Memphis came out firing in the second overtime period. Cody McCoy sent a shot wide and Chandler Gagnon had a shot blocked within the first two minutes. Gagnon’s shot led to a Memphis corner kick. Collins played the corner into the box for Thomas Shannon, whose header was saved by Teppen.

Just moments later, Parker Duncan had a great scoring chance that was saved by the ever-present Teppin. Sherrod collected the rebound, but his shot attempt was blocked. Teppin made another save on a Gagnon shot in the 107^th minute and was able to come off his line to get to a ball that was played into the box for Sherrod.

Memphis’ inability to convert on those scoring chances proved costly, as they fall to 5-1-1 on the season. Evansville improved to 4-2-0 with the win. The Tigers outshot the Purple Aces 18-12, including an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Memphis also held a 3-2 lead in corner kicks.

Three Tigers, Sherrod, Linder and McCoy, were named to the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic All-Tournament Team. Sherrod tallied two goals on the weekend, giving him six goals through the Tigers’ first-seven games. Linder came in off the bench during both contests to assist on Sherrod’s pair of goals, the first points of the freshman’s career. McCoy served as a great presence in the midfield, especially on the defensive side Friday night, as Memphis held Bradley without a single shot on goal.

Memphis will make the trip home to begin preparing for a Conference USA tilt against South Carolina on Saturday at 7 P.M CT. This weekend also marks homecoming for the University of Memphis. Check GoTigersGo.com for updates on Memphis athletics.

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