University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
MEMPHIS HAS TWO TABBED TO PRESEASON ALL-AAC TEAM
Aug 14, 2018 | Men's Soccer
Roberts and Zalzman selected after All-Conference slots in 2017
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A pair of men's soccer players were voted to the American Athletic Conference Preseason All-Conference Team, as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon.
Junior defender Ben Roberts and senior midfielder David Zalzman were voted to the preseason list by the conference's coaches. The duo was named to the All-AAC Second-Team following the 2017 campaign.
Zalzman's third season as a Tiger saw him score his first collegiate goals and set a career high in points. His two goals on the year were tied for team-lead, and his three assists were second on the team.
Ben Roberts played his first season in Blue and Grey last season, one of three defenders that were new to the team. Playing the second most minutes on the squad, Roberts helped lead a defense that recorded two shutouts. He also contributed two goals, which was tied for team-lead.
"I'm excited for them. I thought they had really good seasons last year, and they're getting rewarded for it now. I think more importantly, at the end of their names it says 'Memphis,'" Head coach Richard Mulrooney said about the two. "I'm proud of them, but again, there's a long season to play, and a lot of other guys will have to step up with those two to get us to where we want to be."
Mulrooney enters his fifth season at the helm carrying a record of 24-33-11. Memphis will open its regular season with a home match against SIUE on Aug. 24 at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Match time is slated for 7 p.m.
2018 American Athletic Conference
Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Garrett McLaughlin, SMU, Jr., F
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Jacob Hauser-Ramsey, UConn, Sr., D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Christian Knight, USF, Sr., GK
Preseason All-Conference Team
Cal Jennings, UCF, Jr., F*
Yoni Sorokin, UCF, So., M*
Andreas Steineger, UCF, Sr., D
Austin Smythe, Cincinnati, R-Jr., F
Dylan Greenberg, UConn, R-Sr., D
Jacob Hauser-Ramsey, UConn, Sr., D*
Abdou Thiam, UConn, Sr., F*
Ben Roberts, Memphis, Jr., D
David Zalzman, Memphis, Sr., M
Adrian Billhardt, USF, So., M
Christian Knight, USF, Sr., GK
Emil Cuello, SMU, Sr., M
Garrett McLaughlin, SMU, Jr., F*
*Denotes unanimous selection
Junior defender Ben Roberts and senior midfielder David Zalzman were voted to the preseason list by the conference's coaches. The duo was named to the All-AAC Second-Team following the 2017 campaign.
Zalzman's third season as a Tiger saw him score his first collegiate goals and set a career high in points. His two goals on the year were tied for team-lead, and his three assists were second on the team.
Ben Roberts played his first season in Blue and Grey last season, one of three defenders that were new to the team. Playing the second most minutes on the squad, Roberts helped lead a defense that recorded two shutouts. He also contributed two goals, which was tied for team-lead.
"I'm excited for them. I thought they had really good seasons last year, and they're getting rewarded for it now. I think more importantly, at the end of their names it says 'Memphis,'" Head coach Richard Mulrooney said about the two. "I'm proud of them, but again, there's a long season to play, and a lot of other guys will have to step up with those two to get us to where we want to be."
Mulrooney enters his fifth season at the helm carrying a record of 24-33-11. Memphis will open its regular season with a home match against SIUE on Aug. 24 at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Match time is slated for 7 p.m.
2018 American Athletic Conference
Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
| Place | Team | Points (First Place Votes) |
| 1. | UCF | 46 (4) |
| 2. | SMU | 41 (3) |
| 3. | UConn | 38 (1) |
| 4. | USF | 34 |
| 5. | Tulsa | 26 |
| 6. | Temple | 19 |
| 7. | Cincinnati | 11 |
| 8. | Memphis | 9 |
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Garrett McLaughlin, SMU, Jr., F
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Jacob Hauser-Ramsey, UConn, Sr., D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Christian Knight, USF, Sr., GK
Preseason All-Conference Team
Cal Jennings, UCF, Jr., F*
Yoni Sorokin, UCF, So., M*
Andreas Steineger, UCF, Sr., D
Austin Smythe, Cincinnati, R-Jr., F
Dylan Greenberg, UConn, R-Sr., D
Jacob Hauser-Ramsey, UConn, Sr., D*
Abdou Thiam, UConn, Sr., F*
Ben Roberts, Memphis, Jr., D
David Zalzman, Memphis, Sr., M
Adrian Billhardt, USF, So., M
Christian Knight, USF, Sr., GK
Emil Cuello, SMU, Sr., M
Garrett McLaughlin, SMU, Jr., F*
*Denotes unanimous selection
Players Mentioned
D
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