MEMPHIS, Tenn. --- The Samford University soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision in an exhibition match against the Memphis Lady Tigers on Saturday. The Bulldogs surrendered goals in each half of the preseason contest held at Echles Field.

 

"We were okay today," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "It was obviously just a preseason match and there are definitely some things that we can improve on. I also thought that we did some good things out there and we were able to give our younger players a lot of quality playing time. Memphis is a very good team and they are going to have a really good season this year."

 

Memphis, the back-to-back Conference USA champions, opened the scoring in the 25th minute of play with a goal from Ashley Berra. On the game-winning score, Berra gathered a loose ball in the box and found the back of the net to give the Lady Tigers a 1-0 lead. Amanda Olszewski tallied the assist on the goal.

 

Samford competed in Saturday's match without the efforts of forwards Lauren Cook and Amber Cress, midfielders Melissa Miller and Hilary Samuels, as well as senior defender Cindy Spiker. The Bulldogs' five veteran players were withheld from action due to minor injuries.

 

"We'll definitely be a lot better once we get those players back on the field," Yelton said. "They could have played today, but we didn't want to risk it in an exhibition. Plus, I really thought that our freshmen gained from the experience and they all looked a lot better once they were able to get their feet under them a little bit."

 

At the intermission, Memphis held a 1-0 advantage in the match. The Lady Tigers outshot the Bulldogs 4-1 in the opening 45 minutes of play, but the shots were even at 3-3 in the second period. Samford finished Saturday's match with shot attempts from freshmen Kaley Blanton and Sabbath McKiernan-Allen, as well as redshirt freshman Shannon Weathington and sophomore Mary Shelton Bryant.

 

"We gave them an early Christmas present with the first goal," said Yelton. "We made some bad decisions defensively, but that's to be somewhat expected early in the season. We will improve on those mistakes and that's what the preseason is for, it's to work on your errors. Offensively, we had a couple of shots hit the post and if we connect on one of those goals then it changes the aspect of the match."

 

Blanton, the Bulldogs' explosive freshman defender from Mandeville, La., tallied the team's lone shot on goal Saturday with a second-half attempt that was saved by Memphis goalkeeper Nikki Unland.

 

The Lady Tigers tacked on their second goal of the match during the 81st minute of action. Taylor Isenhower tallied the score on an assist from Lizzy Hildebrandt.

 

Samford's Alyssa Whitehead played the entire 90 minutes in goal and finished with a pair of saves.

 

The Samford University soccer team will next be in action on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m., as the Bulldogs open their 2009 regular-season schedule with a home match against the Auburn Tigers. The game will be held at Samford's Bulldog Field.