MEMPHIS, Tenn. – One of the most successful seasons in recent SIUE men's soccer history came to end Thursday with a 2-1 loss at Memphis in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
For the Cougars, the season's first loss came in their final game. SIUE finished the year 16-1-3. Memphis improved to 11-5-2 and advances to the second round of the tournament for the first time.
"It will take some time for sure (to realize how good the year was)," SIUE Head Coach Cale Wassermann said immediately following the game. "Right now, I am thinking about our guys, and especially our seniors. This group put in so much for our program. We had an unforgettable year and they played so well."
Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos scored twice for the Tigers in the first half. His first goal came in the ninth minute, when he headed home after consecutive crosses in front of the goal.
The second goal came in the 27th minute. Elie Bokota made a long run down the right side of the field before finding Rodrigues dos Santos in the middle of the box. He was able to turn and score at the far post for the 2-0 lead.
"Memphis was really good the first 15-20 minutes," Wassermann said. "They were looking to counter, and we weren't as sharp to start the game. After the first 20 minutes I thought we were good, but it's difficult when you're chasing the game."
The Cougars pulled one back in the 61st minute. Pavel Dashin, the Cougars' leading scorer came down with a 50-50 ball after Will Harris served it out of the back. Dashin was able to shield the ball and make a run to the top of the box. Memphis goalkeeper Colin Welsh came off his line, and Dashin slid in his ninth goal of the year from the top of the box.
"He's a mature, savvy player," Wassermann said of Dashin. "He uses his body well. He came off the bench and played well in the first, so we started him in the second half, and it paid off. He made the most of that chance."
The game changed less than three minutes later when SIUE goalkeeper Sam Gomez was shown a red card after a sliding challenge outside the box. Gomez was attempting to thwart a Memphis breakaway but instead fouled the Memphis player forcing the Cougars to turn to backup Alvaro Bazaco Camino as well as play down a man for the final 26 minutes.
"Even down a man our guys kept pushing; giving every ounce of energy," Wassermann continued. "We would have liked to keep 11 on the field, it just wasn't our night."
Memphis outshot SIUE 13-10. Both teams had six shots on goal. Gomez made three saves for the Cougars while Bazaco Camino also was credited with a save.
"I just want to give a big thank you to all that supported us all year, as we were able to turn a corner," Wassermann said. "That includes the parents, the community, the other programs and staff at SIUE. And especially thank you to our student-athletes who gave everything for SIUE."
