The pained look at Elliot Collier's face captured his mixed emotions following Memphis 901 FC's tie with Loudoun United.

Collier scored the 901 FC's first goal in team history in the 78th minute at AutoZone Park Saturday. Yet the New Zealand native's heart was heavy following a mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch that killed 50 people.

Saturday morning, Collier found out a friend who was shot during the attack did not survive surgery. He played Saturday's match with a black armband to honor the fallen.

“I knew that today I was going to score for them," he said.

Moment of silence:Bluff City Mafia pay tribute to Christchurch mosque shooting victims

Although Memphis (0-1-1) is still searching for its first win, the goal provided an emotional lift for what had been a difficult weekend for Collier and his homeland.

Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s game.

Collier makes history

It seemed destined that Collier would be the one to score for Memphis. In the 49th minute, the Bluff City Mafia, the 901 FC's spirited supporter's section, led a minute of silence for the victims of the shootings.

AutoZone Park slowly fell silent in support. Collier then lifted everyone's spirits later by running the right of the goal and sending his shot past Loudoun goalkeeper Calle Brown.

His teammates mobbed him in celebration and the Bluff City Mafia erupted by sending colored smoke in the air in celebration. Collier was still emotional postgame but said his teammates helped him manage his thoughts before taking the field.

“It’s been a rough past couple days but that’s been something I have to deal with," Collier said. "It doesn’t change the fact that I’m out here to do what I got to do and score goals, and play this game and do it for Memphis.”

Loudoun strikes first

Loudoun (0-1-1) scored in the 31st minute thanks to a goal by 16-year-old midfielder Griffin Yow. Yow’s shot from just left of the box deflected off a defender and wobbled in high above 901 FC goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell.

It was a rare miscue by the 901 FC back line, which has been solid in two games thus far. Unlike last week against Tampa Bay, the team stayed persistent and continued to create chances by dominating possession (57.2 percent).

"In two weeks, we’ve given up a penalty kick and a deflection," 901 FC manager Tim Mulqueen said. "You can’t be any more unlucky and face anymore unforeseen adversity than that. The boys were committed, they battled, they fought, they pressed."

Road trip coming up

After selling out its first game with 8,062 fans, the team announced 7,250 fans Saturday. It's a strong start that shows Memphis is not only ready to support pro soccer, but willing to support a team that's improving.

The tie may not have been satisfying, but with the 901 FC set to begin a three-game road trip, it gave the team some momentum to keep fans encouraged until the next home game on April 10.

The 901 FC begins a three-game road trip on Sunday Mar. 24 at Bethlehem Steel FC.

You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com