Men’s Soccer’s Late Comeback Falls Short Against Memphis 9/29/02

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Despite a one goal, one assist output from Vanderbilt midfielder Jack Hartley, the men’s soccer team fell short in its upset bid to defeat in-state rival Memphis 3-2 Sunday afternoon at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex. With the loss, the Commodores fall to 2-7, while the Tigers up their record to 6-2-1.

The Tigers struck first in the 27th minute when midfielder Andy Metcalf headed the ball in the near corner of the goal following a perfect cross from forward Daniel Ronan. For Ronan, it would not be the only time he would be involved in a goal.

Memphis struck back again in the second minute of the second half, when midfielder John Reilly scored off a header following a long throw in from defender Chris Schmidt.

With Memphis leading 2-0 with 44 minutes remaining in the game, the Commodores made a valiant comeback to knot the score up at 2-2. Vanderbilt’s first goal came in the 49th minute when forward Nik DeMello headed the ball over Memphis goalkeeper Clark Talley’s head following a chip pass from Hartley.

The Commodores tied the game up in the 62nd minute when Hartley gathered the ball inside the box and pounded a shot into the corner of the net. DeMello and Hartley’s goals give them both three on the season, which is tied for the team lead.

The game-winning goal came in the 75th minute when Ronan slid a shot between the legs of Vanderbilt goalkeeper Matthew Gotterer. Gotterer made an attempt to come out and save the ball, but Ronan was able to get a shot off as the Vanderbilt goalkeeper came out.

From a statistical standpoint, the game was fairly even throughout. The Tigers outshot the Commodores by a narrow margin of 12-11, and both teams had four corner kick opportunities apiece.

The men’s soccer team is back in action at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 4, when they take on No. 12-ranked Bradley at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex in Missouri Valley Conference action. The men’s game will the second game of a double-header, as the women’s team takes on Florida at 6 p.m.

Goals
UM: Andy Metcalf (Daniel Ronan) - 26:05
UM: John Reilly (Chris Schmidt) - 46:41
VU: Nik DeMello (Jack Hartley) - 48:41
VU: Jack Hartley (Unassisted) - 61:14
UM: Daniel Ronan (Unassisted) - 74:42