BIRMINGHAM, AL –  The Charlotte 49ers (2-2) behind a dominating offensive performance in the second half defeated former Conference USA rival the Memphis Tigers (2-2), 4-0, in the UAB Soccer For A Cure Tournament. Goals by Aidan Kirkbride, Evan James, Jennings Rex and Will Mayhew and stellar defense led the 49ers to their second victory of the season.

          “The class and determination that our team showed today after having several game changing decisions go against them this weekend was incredible,” Charlotte coach Jeremy Gunn said. “The resolve that they showed was amazing. I am so proud of them.”

Freshman Aidan Kirkbride, who had only been in the game for 35 seconds, scored his first career goal which proved to be the game-winner with a scoring shot from 18 yards out that went into the lower right corner of the goal at the 64 minute mark. The 49ers goal was started by a cross from Andres Cuero that was miscleared by a Memphis defender.

            Evan James scored his first goal of the season and the 14th of his career when he took a pass from Tyler Gibson and hit a shot towards the net, which ricocheted off a Tiger defender into the back of the net at the 72:41 mark.

            The 49ers third goal came when Justin Tucker passed to Jennings Rex who beat a couple of Memphis defenders. Rex shot the ball and it was mishandled by Memphis goalkeeper Jordan Leedle. Rex then corralled the ball and put it in the back of the net from 10 yards out at the 84:19 mark. Rex’s goal was his first of the season and the seventh of his career.

Freshman Will Mayhew headed in a Paul Willoughby pass for the game’s fourth goal and the first of his career with just two seconds left in regulation.

The 49ers had two goals called back in the game when Mayhew’s goal in the closing seconds of the first half was disallowed after Mayhew was called for a high kick.

Then, about 10 minutes into the second half, Isaac Cowles wins the ball and passed to Charles Rodriguez who headed the ball into the back of the net. The goal was disallowed after the 49ers were called for a foul on the play.

Charlotte finished the game with an impressive 17-3 advantage in shots.  Mayhew led the 49ers with four shots. Jason Hawes added three shots to the 49ers attack. T.J. Beaulieu and James recorded two shots apiece. Six other 49ers recorded a shot in the game.

The 49ers defense that limited Memphis to just three shots recorded their second straight Saturday night shutout. Freshman goalkeeper Klay Davis anchored a 49ers defense for his second career shutout.

The 49ers return to Transamerica Field when they host ACC foe #12 Wake Forest, Tuesday, September 14 at 7 pm.