Memphis Takes Down No. 9 UCF, 3-2, Behind Two Goals From Sherrod

October 29, 2011

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Sophomore Mark Sherrod sent the seniors off on a high note, scoring two goals to lead Memphis (11-4-1, 4-3-0) to a 3-2 victory over No. 9 UCF (9-3-3, 3-2-1). Sherrod’s two-goal performance gave him the single-season mark for most goals scored by a Tiger with 19. Coming into tonight’s game, Sherrod was tied for the lead for most goals scored in the country.

Memphis got on the board first when Sherrod took a header from Parker Duncan and fired a shot from 30 yards out past UCF goalkeeper Sebastian Evers. The goal was Sherrod’s 18th on the season, tying him with former Memphis-great Sean Frasor’s 2001 total for the most in a single season.

The Tigers got their second goal of the half from J.J. Greer. Liam Collins played a free kick into the box. Sherrod headed the ball back across the front of the goal for the waiting Greer, who tapped the ball into the net. The goal is Greer’s first of the season and gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead. For Collins, the assist on the play was his 11th on the season, placing him in third place for the most assists in a season.

UCF cut into the Memphis lead to one on a header by Nik Robson. The ball was served to Robson from Cameron Cooksey in the 30th minute. Memphis maintained the 2-1 lead going into halftime.

Sherrod recorded his record-setting 19th goal on the season in the 58th minute. Lewis Ellis played a pass to from the right flank to Sherrod, who was waiting in the middle. Sherrod spun over his right shoulder and placed the left-footed shot past the keeper. The assist was Ellis’ seventh on the season. Sherrod’s record setting goal extended the Tiger’s lead to 3-1.

Coupled with two goals on the night and the assist on the second goal, Sherrod has 41 points on the season. He is one shy of tying for the single-season record held by Frasor.

The Knights fired back in the 81st when Malcolm Reed played the ball to Steven Lamberta in the center of the box, who then booted it for the score. The goal cut the Tiger’s lead to one with nine minutes left to play.

The Tiger defense held strong to finish off the Knights and pick up their fourth conference win on the season and their 10th win overall. The win also marks the second time this season that Memphis has defeated a team ranked in the nation’s top-20 and the first time since 2001 that the Tigers have beat a team ranked in the top 10. Memphis now holds the all-time series lead with UCF at 5-4-1.    

Memphis travels to Dallas, Texas for its final Conference USA match of the season against SMU. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in preseason exhibition at SMU.

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