Men’s Soccer To Take On Lipscomb and Memphis 9/27/02

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – With only two non-conference games remaining before the start of the Missouri Valley Conference portion of its schedule, the Vanderbilt men’s soccer team will look to get back on track when it takes on cross-town foe Lipscomb and in-state rival Memphis this weekend. The Commodores (1-6) will take on the Bison at 7 p.m. Friday at Lipscomb’s Campus Soccer Complex before returning to the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex at 2 p.m. Sunday against the Tigers.

Vanderbilt head coach Tim McClements and his team are looking to rebound from a difficult trip last weekend the New Haven, Conn. when the Commodores went 0-2 in the Yale/Campus Customs Soccer Classic. Vanderbilt lost to No. 21-ranked Yale 3-1 in the opening game and then lost to Brown, 5-1 in its second contest. Midfielders Jeff Baker and Steve Chromik were named to the Yale/Campus Customs Soccer Classic All-Tournament team following the two games.

The Commodores enter this weekend’s games looking to break out of a scoring slump, which has seen head coach Tim McClements’ squad only score four goals in seven games this season. The problem this season hasn’t been being able to accumulate shots, but just putting the shots in the back of the net. The Commodores have actually outshot their opponents 104-96, which means Vanderbilt is averaging around 15 shots per game.

Friday night’s meeting with Lipscomb (1-6) will be the first meeting between these two Nashville teams. The Commodores and Bison both enter the game looking to pick up a win.

The Commodores and Tigers are very familiar with each other, as this will be the 18th meeting all-time between these two teams. Memphis (4-2-1) leads the all-time series 9-5-3, and the Tigers have won the last four meetings.

Scouting the Bison

Lipscomb and Vanderbilt have one the thing in common is that they have had a difficult time scoring goals. In seven games this season, the Bison have been outscored 27-8 (1.13 goals per game to 3.82 average for its opponents).

Midfielder Markus Zobec has been the go-to guy on offense, as he leads the team with three goals and tied for the lead in shots (15). Forward Roland Borys has chipped in with two goals, while three other players have tallied one goal apiece.

The Bison have also struggled in goal this season, as freshmen goalkeepers Patrick Connelly and J.D. Murphy has combined for a 3.82 goals against average. Connelly has allowed 22 goals while recording 29 saves in six games this season. In Murphy’s only appearance this season, he allowed five goals while registering five saves.

Scouting the Tigers

The Tigers came out of the gates quickly, as they won their first four games; however, have done 0-2-1 in their last three contests. Memphis’ success has been triggered by its offense. In seven games this season, the Tigers have scored 21 goals and dished out 20 assists for a team total of 62 points. Memphis already has four players that have scored at least three goals and dished out three assists.

Memphis head coach Richie Grant has received immediate from several of his newcomers. Freshman forward Daniel Ronan has gotten off to a fast start, as he leads the team in goals (five) and total points (11), while also having dished out one assist. Freshman midfielder Dayton O’Brien leads the team in shots (17), tied for first in assists (three), second in points (nine) and tied for second in goals (three). Sophomores Reid Greenslade and John Reilly have both chipped in with three goals apiece.

Junior Clark Talley and freshman Brian Baytos have shared time in net this season for the Tigers. Talley, however, has played the majority of minutes in goal this season. The junior has played in six games this season, five of which he has started. He has recorded 21 saves, while allowing 13 goals (2.33 goals against average). On the other hand, Baytos has allowed two goals and tallied nine saves in 181 minutes this season (.99 goals against average). The freshman also recorded a 2-0 record so far this season.