University of Memphis Athletics
Men's soccer kicks off preseason training
Aug 11, 2020 | Men's Soccer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In anticipation of its 39th season of competition, Memphis men's soccer began its preseason training Tuesday on the University of Memphis' Park Avenue Campus.
The Tigers started the day with fitness training in the morning before capping day one with an evening session of drills and skill work.
"We're excited. Even with the spring being shortened, we were actually one of the few teams to get games in, so we made the most of it," head coach Richard Mulrooney said. "We knew this day would come and we're very fortunate to be out here starting preseason. We're appreciative of the University and the President supporting us in playing this fall."
Despite graduating two key pieces off the 2019 roster in All-Conference members Sam Ashton and Ben Roberts, the Tigers return and wealth of experience with eight seniors. The 2020 squad returns 20 goals from eight different goal scorers and 67 total points.
"To have eight seniors with experience, they know the ins-and-outs of it all," Mulrooney added of the veteran class.
Memphis also returns its cornerstone net minder in junior goalkeeper Parker Lackland. The Dallas, Texas native logged nearly 1500 minutes in goal last year, registering a 1.45 goals-against average in 16 starts.
The veteran group, which includes a trio of 2019 all-conference honorees in Gurman Sangha, Peter Chang and Ford Hunt, blends with a cohort of nine newcomers.
Mulrooney, who is entering his seventh season at the helm of the program, said he is looking forward to developing the team's chemistry throughout camp.
"I'm looking forward to building the chemistry with the new guys coming in and mixing with the older guys. As we know, this isn't a normal world. In the past I've told the guys when we're off the field to spend as much time together. 'Go out, eat together, spend time together.' Well, the message is opposite now with what's going on," Mulrooney said. "Off the field we've told them to isolate, but on the field it's a challenge for us to come together as quick as possible to create that chemistry. The team has handled it well."
The Tigers started the day with fitness training in the morning before capping day one with an evening session of drills and skill work.
"We're excited. Even with the spring being shortened, we were actually one of the few teams to get games in, so we made the most of it," head coach Richard Mulrooney said. "We knew this day would come and we're very fortunate to be out here starting preseason. We're appreciative of the University and the President supporting us in playing this fall."
Despite graduating two key pieces off the 2019 roster in All-Conference members Sam Ashton and Ben Roberts, the Tigers return and wealth of experience with eight seniors. The 2020 squad returns 20 goals from eight different goal scorers and 67 total points.
"To have eight seniors with experience, they know the ins-and-outs of it all," Mulrooney added of the veteran class.
Memphis also returns its cornerstone net minder in junior goalkeeper Parker Lackland. The Dallas, Texas native logged nearly 1500 minutes in goal last year, registering a 1.45 goals-against average in 16 starts.
The veteran group, which includes a trio of 2019 all-conference honorees in Gurman Sangha, Peter Chang and Ford Hunt, blends with a cohort of nine newcomers.
Mulrooney, who is entering his seventh season at the helm of the program, said he is looking forward to developing the team's chemistry throughout camp.
"I'm looking forward to building the chemistry with the new guys coming in and mixing with the older guys. As we know, this isn't a normal world. In the past I've told the guys when we're off the field to spend as much time together. 'Go out, eat together, spend time together.' Well, the message is opposite now with what's going on," Mulrooney said. "Off the field we've told them to isolate, but on the field it's a challenge for us to come together as quick as possible to create that chemistry. The team has handled it well."
Players Mentioned
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