Successful Spring Ends with 4-2 Record
April 3, 2006
For Immediate Release The University of Memphis men's soccer team closed a successful spring campaign in Kansas City, finishing with a 4-2 record and four shutouts. The team also saw tremendous support for its annual silent auction that was held on March 30. After opening the schedule against Major League Soccer's FC Dallas, the Tigers faced another MLS squad to end their training. Memphis took on the Kansas City Wizards on Sunday and was defeated 5-0. Thanks to generous donations made at the silent auction, the team had the opportunity to travel and see the Wizards open their season against the Columbus Crew on Saturday before facing a team made up primarily from Kansas City's reserve squad. "We had a couple good chances against Kansas City, but we were chasing," said Memphis head coach Richie Grant. "I'm disappointed we conceded five goals, but they were stronger than we were. The difference in the two levels really showed. However, the trip was a very positive experience for us." Despite ending with a loss, the Tigers have plenty of positives to carry over into the fall. The only teams to score against Memphis were MLS level clubs. Against the other competition, the U of M earned four-straight shutouts and won those games by a combined 7-0 score. The Tigers defeated Irish clubs Portmarnock and Colaiste Ide as well as local Christian Brothers University and Lambuth University. Several freshman and transfers stepped in during the spring to fill in the voids left by the departing seniors, including MLS drafted players Dayton O'Brien and Andy Metcalf. "This has been an important spring for us and next fall will be important as well," Grant said. "We've now lost the vast majority of the team that won the conference championship, and our young players now have to step up and lead this team. It was great to see so many goals from our freshman in the spring, and our shutouts against college level opponents really show the direction our defense is heading." This year's silent auction proved to be the most successful auction the team has ever hosted. Up for bid at the event were items appealing to several different types of tastes. From autographed soccer memorabilia such as an autographed framed poster of Mia Hamm to elegant candle holders and gift cards, the auction had a wide range of items. In addition, as the event began it was announced that a donor would match the amount raised from the evening. The team rose over $17,000 for the program from the auction. "It's exciting to see the community get behind our team and support the program by raising money," Grant said. "The community wants to see us to be successful, and they are helping us work toward becoming a top program like football and basketball at the university." Former MLS player Ross Paule was the feature speaker at the event. Paule, a native of Memphis, spent nine years in the MLS beginning with the Colorado Rapids who made him the 11th overall selection in the 1997 MLS College Draft out of Creighton University. His best year with the Rapids came in 1998 when he tallied 10 goals and six assists. Paule ended his career with the Columbus Crew and retired early in 2005 because of post-concussion syndrome. Paule spoke to the group that included several young players about never giving up on their dreams. He talked about always setting personal records and then striving to constantly set new records. Paule told the youth to be ready for the opportunities they face. "Ross had a great message to say to the group, and I really enjoyed the simplicity of it," Grant said. "As a Memphis native, it's an absolute pleasure to get him involved with our program, and we hope to have a long lasting relationship with him." The silent auction that took place in the Murphy Athletic Complex at South Campus began with a barbecue dinner. Local radio personality Peter Edmiston was the emcee for the event. Edmiston hosts the Weekly Soccer Fix on Wednesday's at 10 a.m. on Sports 56 WBHQ with Grant as his co-host.
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