Friday, September 20
Tulsa, Okla.
7:00 PM
Tulsa
1-5-1, 0-1-0
1
vs
2
Memphis
3-4-1, 1-0-0
1
2
F
Memphis
2
0
2
Tulsa
1
0
1
Photo by: Bill Powell
Tulsa Drops Conference Opener to Memphis
9/20/2024 11:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer
TULSA, Okla. – The visiting Memphis Tigers scored twice in the opening 10 minutes and held off Tulsa's comeback attempt as the Golden Hurricane fell 2-1 in its American Athletic Conference opener at the Hurricane Soccer Stadium on Friday evening.
Tulsa (1-5-1, 0-1-0 The American) pushed for an equalizer late in the match. Clement Badger rose up to meet the ball with 20 seconds remaining, and his headed effort was destined for the top right corner before the Memphis (3-4-1, 1-0-0 The American) goalkeeper made a spectacular diving effort to tip the ball wide. The ensuing corner kick came to nothing as the Tigers escaped with the win.
Memphis took the lead just six minutes into the match on Lleyton Imperato's fourth goal of the season. His shot in traffic was drilled hard into the turf and snuck past Alex Lopez in goal for the opener. Less than four minutes later, the Tigers made it two on a Logan Longo headed effort.
Camilo Vargas scored his second goal of the season in the 26th minute. He is the first TU player to have multiple goals this season. His solo effort cut the deficit to 2-1. Tulsa had 64 minutes to find another goal but was unable to find the net the remainder of the game.
The teams were even at seven shots apiece, but Memphis put six on target to Tulsa's three. Lopez was back between the posts for the Hurricane and after the first two goals, went on to make four saves, including some big stops in the second half to keep the Hurricane in the match.
Leading the Tulsa attack was Vargas, who added three shots alongside his goal. Alvaro Torrijos and Clement Badger each put an effort on target in the loss.
How it Happened
Early goals have cost the Hurricane a couple of times this season and was the theme of tonight's game. Memphis scored the opener just 5:29 into the match. A ball into the box from Logan Longo found the foot of Lleyton Imperato. His powerful shot was hit into the turf, causing a bouncing ball with spin that found its way through a crowd of people and in the net.
Four minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead after earning their first corner kick of the night. Imperato returned the favor to Longo as his corner kick found Longo's head for the second goal of the night.
Tulsa got back in the match in the 26th minute thanks to Camilo Vargas. The senior picked up the ball on the left wing near midfield. He cut onto his right foot when he neared the box before unleashing a powerful right-footed strike that beat Memphis goalkeeper Filip Sabatti to his near post.
In the second half, Lopez came up with a trio of massive saves to deny Memphis in the 72nd, 73rd and 74th minutes. Yuki Sekiguchi almost capitalized minutes later in the 78th, but his effort flashed wide of the post on the right side.
The Hurricane kept pushing for the equalizer as time ran down, and, in the 90th minute, it nearly paid off. Clement Badger got on the end of a cross and put a header on goal that was directed toward the upper right corner of the goal. However, Sabatti was somehow able to tip it over the bar to secure the win.
Game Notes
Scoring Summary
Memphis 2 0 - 2
Tulsa 1 0 - 1
Individual Scoring
Lleyton Imperato (Memphis) at 5:29 – Logan Longo
Logan Longo (Memphis) at 9:28 – Lleyton Imperato
Camilo Vargas (Tulsa) at 25:47
Goalkeeper Saves
Filip Sabatti (Memphis) – 2
Alex Lopez (Tulsa) – 4
Tulsa (1-5-1, 0-1-0 The American) pushed for an equalizer late in the match. Clement Badger rose up to meet the ball with 20 seconds remaining, and his headed effort was destined for the top right corner before the Memphis (3-4-1, 1-0-0 The American) goalkeeper made a spectacular diving effort to tip the ball wide. The ensuing corner kick came to nothing as the Tigers escaped with the win.
Memphis took the lead just six minutes into the match on Lleyton Imperato's fourth goal of the season. His shot in traffic was drilled hard into the turf and snuck past Alex Lopez in goal for the opener. Less than four minutes later, the Tigers made it two on a Logan Longo headed effort.
Camilo Vargas scored his second goal of the season in the 26th minute. He is the first TU player to have multiple goals this season. His solo effort cut the deficit to 2-1. Tulsa had 64 minutes to find another goal but was unable to find the net the remainder of the game.
The teams were even at seven shots apiece, but Memphis put six on target to Tulsa's three. Lopez was back between the posts for the Hurricane and after the first two goals, went on to make four saves, including some big stops in the second half to keep the Hurricane in the match.
Leading the Tulsa attack was Vargas, who added three shots alongside his goal. Alvaro Torrijos and Clement Badger each put an effort on target in the loss.
How it Happened
Early goals have cost the Hurricane a couple of times this season and was the theme of tonight's game. Memphis scored the opener just 5:29 into the match. A ball into the box from Logan Longo found the foot of Lleyton Imperato. His powerful shot was hit into the turf, causing a bouncing ball with spin that found its way through a crowd of people and in the net.
Four minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead after earning their first corner kick of the night. Imperato returned the favor to Longo as his corner kick found Longo's head for the second goal of the night.
Tulsa got back in the match in the 26th minute thanks to Camilo Vargas. The senior picked up the ball on the left wing near midfield. He cut onto his right foot when he neared the box before unleashing a powerful right-footed strike that beat Memphis goalkeeper Filip Sabatti to his near post.
In the second half, Lopez came up with a trio of massive saves to deny Memphis in the 72nd, 73rd and 74th minutes. Yuki Sekiguchi almost capitalized minutes later in the 78th, but his effort flashed wide of the post on the right side.
The Hurricane kept pushing for the equalizer as time ran down, and, in the 90th minute, it nearly paid off. Clement Badger got on the end of a cross and put a header on goal that was directed toward the upper right corner of the goal. However, Sabatti was somehow able to tip it over the bar to secure the win.
Game Notes
- TU falls to 1-5-1 on the season
- Tulsa drops to 12-9-3 against the Tigers all-time.
- The Hurricane has gone winless in its past four games.
- Camilo Vargas scored his second goal of the season.
- Alex Lopez was back in goal for the Hurricane.
- Kevin Thallinger earned his first TU start and went all 90 minutes.
- Tulsa has given up a first half goal in each game this season.
Scoring Summary
Memphis 2 0 - 2
Tulsa 1 0 - 1
Individual Scoring
Lleyton Imperato (Memphis) at 5:29 – Logan Longo
Logan Longo (Memphis) at 9:28 – Lleyton Imperato
Camilo Vargas (Tulsa) at 25:47
Goalkeeper Saves
Filip Sabatti (Memphis) – 2
Alex Lopez (Tulsa) – 4
Team Stats
MEM
TLS
Goals
2
1
Shots
7
7
Shots on Goal
6
3
Saves
2
4
Corners
4
6
Fouls
2
5
Scoring Plays
Lleyton Imparato (4)
Assisted By: Logan Longo
GOAL by MEM Imparato, Lleyton Assist by Longo, Logan.
05:29
Logan Longo (3)
Assisted By: Lleyton Imparato
GOAL by MEM Longo, Logan Assist by Imparato, Lleyton.
09:28
Camilo Vargas (2)
GOAL by TLS Vargas, Camilo.
25:47
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
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