Tigers Fall 2-0 in First Road Match at Mercer

Thursday, September 5

Macon, Ga.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

1-4-0, 0-0-0

Mercer

2-1-2, 0-0-0

Memphis

Mercer

Photo by: Mark S. Powell

Sep 05, 2024 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

MACON, Ga. — Memphis men's soccer (1-4-0) fell in its first road match of the season Thursday night at Mercer (2-1-2) by a 2-0 result.

An early goal just seven minutes into the action gave the host the upper hand before doubling the advantage 25 minutes later. The Tigers had a few chances – mostly in the first half – but couldn't find the breakthrough.

KEY MOMENTS
• 7' – Memphis goalkeeper Filip Sabatti crashed out on a high ball that was flung into the box by the Bears, but was unable to corral it. Mercer's Carlos Santamaria was there to gather it and knock it into the net for a 1-0 advantage.
• 18' – Sabatti recorded a pair of saves to limit the damage midway through the half, making a snag off a header before diving to his left and getting a hand on another attempt.
• 32' – Mercer doubled its lead from a corner kick, which was deflected and became free on the turf five yards out before Sekou Agard put it into the net for a 2-0 score.
• 43' – The Tigers had three looks late in the half trying to cut into the deficit. Adam Yousfi sent one wide, before Jackson Kim and Ryan Ruguaru each had a header blocked off corner kicks.
• 76 – Memphis couldn't get much going in the second half. A wide header from graduate defender Jackson Kim off a free kick from midfield was the closest the Tigers came to getting on the board in the final 45 minutes.

NOTABLES
• Freshman Ryan Ruguaru and senior Abdou Samb made their first collegiate starts.
• Both teams fired off nine shots and five corner kicks in the match.
• Sabatti tied his career high with five saves in the defeat. He also had five against Central Arkansas.

UP NEXT
The Tigers are back on the pitch Sunday at 5 p.m. CT when they make the trip over to Georgia State. The Panthers are 1-2-1 on the year after suffering a 2-1 defeat at Lipscomb Thursday night.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.