University of Memphis Athletics

Photo by: Matthew Smith
Ben Roberts Tabbed to Preseason All-Conference Team
Aug 21, 2019 | Men's Soccer
Selected unanimously after a first-team all-conference season last year
Memphis, Tennessee – Senior defender Ben Roberts was named to the American Athletic Conference's preseason all-conference team, the league announced Wednesday as part of its preseason poll. The nomination marks the second-straight preseason nod for Roberts.
After being named a first-team all-conference defender after last season, Roberts continues to impress coaches around the conference, being named a unanimous selection for the preseason list.
"Ben's a huge player for us. He's a great leader in the back and he communicates really well for us on both ends of the ball," Head coach Richard Mulrooney said of Roberts. "He has a lot of the skills and qualities that we need him to have, and it's great that other coaches see that and recognize that."
Roberts led a defense last season that shutout six opponents, including clean sheets against conference opponents Cincinnati and Tulsa. The Tiger defense also held USF to just one goal in the 3-1 win in the AAC Conference Championship quarterfinals.
Additionally, Roberts scored his lone goal of the season against Lipscomb, which was also a shutout effort for the Tigers defense.
Memphis opens its regular season on Aug. 30 against Campbell. Match time at the Billy J. Murphy Track & Soccer Complex is scheduled for 7 p.m.
2019 American Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Cal Jennings, UCF*
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Robin Lapert, UConn
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Yannik Oettl, UCF
Preseason All-Conference Team
GK Yannik Oettl, UCF
F Cal Jennings, UCF*
F Dayonn Harris, UConn
F Adrian Billhardt, USF
F Lukas Fernandes, Temple*
M Louis Perez, UCF*
M Yoni Sorokin, UCF*
M Felix Metzler, UConn*
M Chase Bromstedt, Tulsa*
D Robin Lapert, UConn*
D Ben Roberts, Memphis*
D Avionne Flanagan, USF
D Talen Maples, SMU
*denotes unanimous selection
After being named a first-team all-conference defender after last season, Roberts continues to impress coaches around the conference, being named a unanimous selection for the preseason list.
"Ben's a huge player for us. He's a great leader in the back and he communicates really well for us on both ends of the ball," Head coach Richard Mulrooney said of Roberts. "He has a lot of the skills and qualities that we need him to have, and it's great that other coaches see that and recognize that."
Roberts led a defense last season that shutout six opponents, including clean sheets against conference opponents Cincinnati and Tulsa. The Tiger defense also held USF to just one goal in the 3-1 win in the AAC Conference Championship quarterfinals.
Additionally, Roberts scored his lone goal of the season against Lipscomb, which was also a shutout effort for the Tigers defense.
Memphis opens its regular season on Aug. 30 against Campbell. Match time at the Billy J. Murphy Track & Soccer Complex is scheduled for 7 p.m.
2019 American Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Team | First Place Votes | Points |
1. UCF | 7 | 49 |
2. SMU | 1 | 42 |
3. UConn | 36 | |
4. USF | 31 | |
5. Temple | 24 | |
6. Memphis | 18 | |
7. Tulsa | 16 | |
8. Cincinnati | 8 |
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Cal Jennings, UCF*
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Robin Lapert, UConn
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Yannik Oettl, UCF
Preseason All-Conference Team
GK Yannik Oettl, UCF
F Cal Jennings, UCF*
F Dayonn Harris, UConn
F Adrian Billhardt, USF
F Lukas Fernandes, Temple*
M Louis Perez, UCF*
M Yoni Sorokin, UCF*
M Felix Metzler, UConn*
M Chase Bromstedt, Tulsa*
D Robin Lapert, UConn*
D Ben Roberts, Memphis*
D Avionne Flanagan, USF
D Talen Maples, SMU
*denotes unanimous selection
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