A Pair of Sherrod Goals Propels Memphis to Win and Moves a Pair of Tigers Up in the Record Books

Sherrod Ranks Second in Single Season Goals Scored

CONWAY, Ark. – Memphis used a pair of goals from sophomore forward Mark Sherrod, who scored off of passes from Liam Collins and Lewis Ellis, to defeat Central Arkansas, 2-1. Both Sherrod and Collins moved into the record books with their efforts on the afternoon.

Sherrod’s two-goal performance pushed him into a tie for second place on the single-season records list for goals scored. Sherrod’s first-half goal tied Sean Fraser, who tallied 16 goals in 2000. The second-half goal tied Sherrod with Morton Akerfors’ 17 goals, posted in 1987. He only trails Fraser, who scored 18 in 2001, in the single-season record books. The Memphis striker has also posted 34 points on the season, the most since Fraser tallied 42 in 2001.

Collins’ joined Sherrod in the record books on the first goal. With an assist on Sherrod’s goal, Collins has totaled 10 on the season, tying him for third with Rogerio Lima (1996) and David Jackson (1984) in the record books. Collins sits behind Dayton O’Brien (14 in 2004) and Lima (12 in 1997), who are first and second, respectively.

The Tigers wasted little time in attacking the Bears’ defense. Collins played a ball from the left side of the box to Sherrod. Sherrod volleyed the pass off the right post and into the goal to give the Tigers the lead, 1-0, in the 10^th minute.

Memphis surrendered a game-tying goal in the 28^th minute to UCA’s Taylor Hart. Hart dribbled up the left side of the box and beat Conor Hurley for the unassisted goal. It is only the second goal that Hurley and the Memphis defense allowed in the last six games.

As the two teams entered halftime tied, 1-1, Memphis held an advantage in shots 5-4, including 2-1 in shots on goal. Each team attempted a corner kick in the half.

After a back-and-forth opening to the second half, Sherrod pounced again. Ellis headed a through ball to Sherrod, who was able to beat UCA goalkeeper Patxi Shortsleeve for his second goal of the game, giving him 17 goals on the season and his sixth game-winner. Ellis’ assist is his sixth of the season, second on the team behind Collins.

Memphis finished the game with 10 shots, four on goal, and allowed only six shots, 3 on goal, for UCA. The Tigers also attempted one more corner kick, 2-1, than the Bears.

The Tigers improve to 10-4-1 (C-USA 3-3) on the season, while the Bears drop to 2-8-4.This marks the sixth ten-win season in head coach Richie Grant’s career. Conor Hurley is the first Memphis goalkeeper to record ten wins since Sebastian Vecchio’s 15 in 2004.

Memphis returns home for a clash with Conference USA-foe and 10^th-ranked UCF at 7:00 p.m. CT, Saturday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Tigers will honor the three seniors, Parker Duncan, Cody McCoy, and Thomas Shannon, for Senior Night.

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