Ryan Schwaigert, member of men's soccer team, is doing what he can to help lead The University of Memphis to the Conference USA championship.
Coach Richie Grant believes he has picked up the momentum to do so.
"Ryan is playing his best football right now, and as a forward he makes it very difficult for the other team to score," Grant said.
Last season, Schwaigert was the backbone of the Tiger defense at the position of sweeper. He was also second on the team with goals scored, all of them resulting from penalty kicks. Schwaigert was selected to try out for the United States national team in the under 23 age group.
He was a member of the south regional team that went 2-2 at the U.S. Amateur Soccer Association's festival in Portland, Ore.
In 1998, Schwaigert started 15 out of 16 games that he played in and was awarded Most Valuable Player at the C-USA tournament.
Schwaigert is playing in his third year here, but started his college career at Bowling Green University, and he recorded five goals and five assists during his time there. He helped lead the Falcons to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the National Tournament.
At Germantown High School, he led the Devils to back-to-back district and regional championships in 1996 and 1997.
Currently the Tigers are 11-5 overall and 5-3 in C-USA action. The team will face Christian Brothers tonight at 7 p.m. at Signaigo Field.
