Box Score MEMPHIS, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's soccer went the distance and beyond late Monday night, eventually dropping a 2-1 decision in double overtime at Memphis.
The Bruins were fresh off a solid performance against nationally-ranked Louisville Saturday, leading into the final 25 minutes, before falling to the host Cards.
A physical match developed from the outset between the in-state rivals, with 19 fouls being called between each of the teams. The Tigers took the lead in the 23rd minute off a penalty kick from Mark Sherrod.
Senior Lou Manning (Southlake, Texas) would lock the goal up for the next 83 minutes of the game, recording several big saves to keep Belmont in it.
The game headed into the second half still standing at 1-0 in favor of Memphis until senior
Brandon Tarr (Knoxville, Tenn.) ripped off the equalizer in the 53
rd minute of play from about 15 yards out. Tarr scored his second goal of the season and has two goals in the past two games.
Belmont missed the near go-ahead goal with just 90 seconds in regulation when sophomore and Michigan transfer Luca Schioppa's (Sao Paulo, Brazil) shot rang off the left post.
The game remained a defensive joust until the Tigers scored the game winner in the 106th minute of the second overtime by Andreas Guentner. Guentner finished the goal off a deflected cross.
Belmont committed 21 fouls in the game opposed to the ten by Memphis. The Bruins were outshot 19-9.
"The guys were awesome, we played great," as Belmont head coach Earle Davidson commented about the play of his team. "We knocked it off the post with about a minute left in regulation that could have won it for us, great game, the guys played awesome, just an unfair result."
The Bruins head back to Nashville for their next match, this Friday at the Lipscomb Invitational versus Oral Roberts at 5 p.m. CT.
