The University of Memphis soccer teams are taking this season by storm, with the women’s team at 8-1 and the men’s team at 4-2-2 this year.
The men’s soccer team has already improved their win total from last year, when they were 2-2-4, with nine games remaining in the season, and that’s if they don’t make the American Athletic Conference or NCAA tournaments.
One of the major names on the squad is Venezuelan captain and senior midfielder David Zalzman, who has earned three goals and was recently nominated for the 2018 Senior CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School) Award. He commands the midfield well and has been committed to this team even after being forced to sit out his freshman year due to NCAA rules.
Redshirt sophomore midfielder Peyton McKnatt just joined from Northwest Mississippi Community College and the team formally known as Memphis City FC. McKnatt has three goals and one assist this year and has shown to play well with his new teammates. He will likely add to his goal total as the season progresses.
The women’s team is 8-1 coming off a recent win at Ole Miss. They were recently ranked No. 13 in the nation by NCAA Soccer RPI and received 47 votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, leaving them just short of being ranked in the Top-25.
They have been balancing rookie and veteran talent, as they fielded seven upperclassmen and four underclassmen. Sophomore goalkeeper Elizabeth Moberg and sophomore forward Clarissa Larisey have proved to be strong players. Moberg is currently tied for first in the nation for clean sheets and 49th in total minutes played. Larisey has earned seven goals so far, making her team leader in goals, and she has also started all games so far this year, improving from her freshman year when she scored only three goals and one assist.
The team missed the NCAA Tournament last year at 11-6-3, but with the run they are on this season, going to watch them play at Mike Rose Soccer Complex is going to be worth the drive.
Both teams have shown improvement with the addition of new players, and Tiger fans can expect them to continue getting good results. They move the ball well among each other and show constant pressure on the opposing teams. If the teams continue this grind and if they do not sustain any injuries, the AAC and NCAA tournaments could be in reach.
David Zalzman (left) and Torbjorn Rosvoll (right) keep pressure on a Belmont defender. The team saw 13 new players join this season, and Zalzman leads his team in his second year being captain.
