COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Aaron Molloy recorded a goal and assist as Memphis 901 FC brought an end to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s perfect start to the season with a 2-1 win at Weidner Field on Saturday night.

Both teams opened energetically, and Memphis almost took the lead in the fifth minute when Phillip Goodrum was played into the right side of the penalty area by Jeremy Kelly but had his near-post shot turned wide by Colorado Springs goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell. The Switchbacks’ shot-stopper made another big stop in the 26th minute after Memphis’ Derek Dodson got in behind the defensive line before the hosts began to start pushing the game the other way. Colorado Springs had a golden opportunity to take the lead three minutes before halftime when Zach Zandi played Hadji Barry in on a breakaway only for Memphis goalkeeper Trey Muse to stand tall and turn away his shot.

A minute later that save became even more important as 901 FC took the lead when Molloy feinted twice as he drifted to the top-right corner of the penalty area before snapping home a finish to the bottom-left corner of the net. Memphis went close to a second in first-half stoppage time when Laurent Kissiedou’s low shot from the right side of the box found the near side-netting, but just before the hour-mark the visitors struck again when Molloy’s angled free kick into the center of the penalty area was headed home by Goodrum into the right corner of the net.

Colorado Springs almost pulled a goal back three minutes later when Michee Nglina received a short free kick on the left edge of the penalty area and curled a shot that hit the crossbar just above the top-right corner of the goal, but the visitors continued to threaten as well as in the 67th minute, Kissiedou was denied by a fingertip save by Caldwell. Ngalina forced another good save by Muse with five minutes remaining as he parried over the crossbar on a rasping shot from beyond the top-right edge of the penalty area, and as the game ticked into stoppage time the hosts pulled a goal back as Matt Mahoney headed in from a corner kick on the right by Zandi. There was no late equalizer for the hosts, however, as Memphis held firm defensively to see out the win.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Aaron Molloy, Memphis 901 FC – Molloy recorded a goal and assist for the visitors while completing 37 of 48 passes overall, recording two chances created and winning 3 of 3 tackles in midfield.

Scoring Summary
MEM – Aaron Molloy (Laurent Kissiedou) 43’
MEM – Phillip Goodrum (Aaron Molloy) 59’
COS – Matt Mahoney (Zach Zandi) 90+1’

Full Box Score