University of Memphis Athletics
Thursday, August 20
Nashville, Tenn.
7:30 p.m.
University of Memphis
at
Belmont
Tigers Open Up Season in the Music City Against Belmont
Aug 19, 2026 | Men's Soccer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis men's soccer team will begin its 2026 campaign on the road with an in-state matchup against Belmont at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday on ESPN+.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Memphis finished the 2025 season on a two-match losing streak, going 4-8-3 on the season. Head coach Richard Mulrooney has plans to right the ship, aided by a mix of returning talent and new pieces with 18 newcomers after failing to make the American Conference Tournament in 2025.
Of Memphis' returners are 2026 Preseason American Conference selections Miller Lashlee and Eben McIntyre. Lashlee shined in spurts last season, leading the American in conference goals with five, despite only playing 400 minutes in conference play. McIntyre was second on last year's team in points with 11, and he, along with returning defender Dino Stavros and leading goalscorer Saad Chaouki, have the Tigers returning their three highest minutes-played totals from a season ago.
The Tigers are set to have newcomers at every level, including defender transfers in Junior Saint Juste and Jin Tokishi, with the latter being an NJCAA All-American last season at Cowley College. In the midfield, Keanan Bader and Henrique Cruz were added to give depth in attacking and defensive roles, respectively. Up front, Memphis added another Cowley College player in 2025 KJCC First Team and All-Region selection, Renan Syrio.
After registering a goals-against-average of 1.80, the second-highest in the American, the Tigers added a pair of goalkeepers in Mathias Christensen and Noah Kasin. Christensen, a native of Assentoft, Denmark, compiled 105 saves and 25 wins over two seasons at Snow College. Kasin, a junior transfer from Georgia Southwestern State, holds top five marks in four career stats and has his goalkeeping coach from GSW, Nate Getman, follow as a member of the Memphis staff.
SCOUTING THE BRUINS
Belmont finished with an 8-3-6 mark last season, having started the year on an 11-match unbeaten streak, including a 2-0 win at Memphis in the Bruins' second contest of the season. Belmont's season was ended last year in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a 1-0 loss to UIC at home.
A large amount of Belmont's 2025 production returns, including four of its leaders in points with Brock Kiper, Nzuhri Biggar, Jaxon Stokes and Paul Claes Nielsen. Last season, the quartet combined for 14 goals, 10 assists and 38 points. Claes Nielsen was an MVC All-Freshman selection in 2025 and is the lone Bruin to be named to the Preseason All-MVC team, with Kiper and Biggar also earning all-conference honors on the 2025 MVC Second Team and All-Freshman Team, respectively.
Similar to the Tigers, the Bruins are looking for a piece in between the sticks as the only goalkeeper with playing experience at Belmont on the roster is junior Miles Kipley, who logged just under 14 minutes of action behind Grant Calvert.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST BELMONT
Memphis leads the all-time series 18-2-1 and had an 18-match winning streak snapped in a 2-0 loss at the Track & Soccer Complex last season.
From the year 1998 to 2024, Memphis outscored Belmont 56-8 during its 18-match winning streak, with last year's loss matching the highest number of goals allowed in the series.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Men's Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Memphis finished the 2025 season on a two-match losing streak, going 4-8-3 on the season. Head coach Richard Mulrooney has plans to right the ship, aided by a mix of returning talent and new pieces with 18 newcomers after failing to make the American Conference Tournament in 2025.
Of Memphis' returners are 2026 Preseason American Conference selections Miller Lashlee and Eben McIntyre. Lashlee shined in spurts last season, leading the American in conference goals with five, despite only playing 400 minutes in conference play. McIntyre was second on last year's team in points with 11, and he, along with returning defender Dino Stavros and leading goalscorer Saad Chaouki, have the Tigers returning their three highest minutes-played totals from a season ago.
The Tigers are set to have newcomers at every level, including defender transfers in Junior Saint Juste and Jin Tokishi, with the latter being an NJCAA All-American last season at Cowley College. In the midfield, Keanan Bader and Henrique Cruz were added to give depth in attacking and defensive roles, respectively. Up front, Memphis added another Cowley College player in 2025 KJCC First Team and All-Region selection, Renan Syrio.
After registering a goals-against-average of 1.80, the second-highest in the American, the Tigers added a pair of goalkeepers in Mathias Christensen and Noah Kasin. Christensen, a native of Assentoft, Denmark, compiled 105 saves and 25 wins over two seasons at Snow College. Kasin, a junior transfer from Georgia Southwestern State, holds top five marks in four career stats and has his goalkeeping coach from GSW, Nate Getman, follow as a member of the Memphis staff.
SCOUTING THE BRUINS
Belmont finished with an 8-3-6 mark last season, having started the year on an 11-match unbeaten streak, including a 2-0 win at Memphis in the Bruins' second contest of the season. Belmont's season was ended last year in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a 1-0 loss to UIC at home.
A large amount of Belmont's 2025 production returns, including four of its leaders in points with Brock Kiper, Nzuhri Biggar, Jaxon Stokes and Paul Claes Nielsen. Last season, the quartet combined for 14 goals, 10 assists and 38 points. Claes Nielsen was an MVC All-Freshman selection in 2025 and is the lone Bruin to be named to the Preseason All-MVC team, with Kiper and Biggar also earning all-conference honors on the 2025 MVC Second Team and All-Freshman Team, respectively.
Similar to the Tigers, the Bruins are looking for a piece in between the sticks as the only goalkeeper with playing experience at Belmont on the roster is junior Miles Kipley, who logged just under 14 minutes of action behind Grant Calvert.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST BELMONT
Memphis leads the all-time series 18-2-1 and had an 18-match winning streak snapped in a 2-0 loss at the Track & Soccer Complex last season.
From the year 1998 to 2024, Memphis outscored Belmont 56-8 during its 18-match winning streak, with last year's loss matching the highest number of goals allowed in the series.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Men's Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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