Aug. 24, 2012
Wisconsin 4,Memphis 3
Mike Rose Stadium • Memphis, Tenn. | |
 |
| 1st | 2nd | Final | Wisconsin
| 0 | 4 | 4 | Memphis
| 2 | 1 | 3 | | | | | | | Goalkeepers | Min | GA | Sv | | WIS | Max Jentsch | 45:00 | 2 | 2 | | WIS | Chase Rau (1-0-0) | 45:00 | 1 | 1 | | MEM | Conor Hurley (0-1-0) | 90:00 | 4 | 2 | | | Stats at a Glance | WIS | MEM | | Shots | 11 | 14 | | Shots on Goal | 6 | 6 | | Saves | 3 | 2 | | Offsides | 3 | 1 | | Corner Kicks | 5 | 6 | | Yellow Cards | 1 | 1 | | Red Cards | 0 | 0 | | |
• Final Stats | Final Stats 
MADISON, Wis. -- A year ago, Memphis scored first against the Badgers and held on for a 2-1 win in Madison. Friday night's rematch in Tennessee had a similar prologue, but a very different final chapter.
Falling behind 2-0, Wisconsin used a four-goal flurry in the final 15 minutes to steal an improbable 4-3 victory in the first game of the 2012 season.
"Most of these guys have been through a lot of games now and their belief in the team and the coaching staff is really starting to show," Wisconsin head coach John Trask said. "Being down a couple goals at half and not playing well at the start, our players still knew they had it in them to make it a game. The fight in our team was amazing in a time when it would have been easier to quit, and that belief in the team really came out tonight. I couldn't be prouder of my players."
"Memphis is a great team, the coaches are first-class and the atmosphere at the game was perfect for college soccer."
Opening the season on the road in Memphis, the Badgers started the match sluggish as the Tigers' Chandler Gagnon scored in the sixth minute to give Memphis a very early lead. Lewis Ellis followed up for the Tigers in the 21st minute to put the home team up by two. Tigers' All-American midfielder Liam Collins assisted on both of the goals.
Even with an early lead, Memphis had trouble defending the Badgers, as Wisconsin had chances to get on the board in the first half. However, UW would enter halftime still on the outside looking in.
In a tactical move to start the half, Trask opted to put freshman keeper Chase Rau in net for Max Jentsch.
The Badgers started last week's exhibition match against Evansville down, 1-0, and battled back to tie the game, so the team knew that hope for a comeback was still very much alive.
"One thing we haven't been able to do very well is come back from deficits," Trask said. "But we came back last week against Evansville and again this night. These are momentum builders for the season."
Freshman midfielder Drew Conner had a fantastic night in his collegiate debut. In the 76th minute, Conner provided the spark for the Badger comeback, netting his first goal after receiving an assist from AJ Cochran.
"Conner was a midfield dynamo tonight, he was our engine room tonight," Trask commented. "He was playing against an All-American (in Liam Collins) and there was no question who was the better player out there."
"Cochran also had a phenomenal night, shutting down a Herman Trophy-watch kid (in Tiger striker Mark Sherrod)."
Connor's goal provided a huge momentum boost for the Badgers, but a penalty kick given to Memphis just two minutes later almost proved costly. Liam Collins lined up for the PK, but put it high over the cross bar.
With the momentum intact, the Badgers continued to press and Chris Prince netted an equalizer just three minutes after Conner's goal. Joey Tennyson ran down the flank and served the ball into the box for Prince's first goal of the season.
Derek Pitts then found the back of the net in the 84th minute to give the Badgers a 3-2 lead. After a free kick was cleared out by the Tiger defense, Pitts fired a shot from nearly 40 yards out to beat Memphis' keeper Conor Hurley.
"It was great to see Derek get a goal," Trask said. "He's worked so hard over his three years at Wisconsin and he doesn't get to play that much, so it was very awesome to see him get that goal."
However, Sherrod and the Tigers bit back just more than a minute later to tie the game back up. Collins picked up his third assist of the night on the goal.
Even with a draw looking imminent, the Badgers weren't deterred and kept on pressing.
"We were at practice the other day and men's hockey head coach Mike Eaves came out to watch us train, I told him that unlike in hockey we have to wait a full year for a rematch against a team," Trask commented. "I said that we've been waiting all year to get a chance to play Memphis again after last year's loss in Madison."
In the final two minutes of the game, UW newcomer Jide Oluyedun would be the one to secure a win for his side. From 19 yards out, Oluyedun took a shot that beat Hurley. Tennyson received credit for the assist, earning his second of the night.
"My compliments go out to the team, its only one game, but it was a tough one," Trask said. "It was especially tough on us having to play after assistant coach Phil Presser received news of a family tragedy and couldn't accompany the team this weekend. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Presser family in Fort Wayne, Ind."
Up next, the Badgers will travel to Portland, Ore. to take on Washington and Portland on Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, respectively.
