Sabatti Named American Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, Tigers Tabbed Third

IRVING, Texas – Memphis men's soccer goalkeeper Filip Sabatti was named the American Conference Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and was also named to the Preseason All-Conference Team alongside Luciano Galizzi and Ryan Ruguaru, per a league release on Monday.

The Tigers also placed third in the conference's preseason coaches poll. Memphis was one of five schools that earned a first-place vote and was the only program outside of Charlotte (four votes) to receive multiple votes, earning two first-place votes. Memphis is also one of only three schools, the others being Florida Atlantic and FIU, to have three preseason all-conference selections.

Filip Sabatti comes into the season as the reigning Goalkeeper of the Year in the American Conference after leading the Tigers to a regular season championship, posting four clean sheets during conference play and being in net for every match of Memphis' seven-match unbeaten streak. A 2024 American Conference First Team selection, Sabatti recorded 48 saves in his first season as a Tiger, holding opponents to a 1.27 goals-against-average.

Luciano Galizzi, an American Conference Second Team selection in 2024, was one of only three unanimous selections to the 2025 preseason all-conference team. He was one of only five Tigers to register at least 1,000 minutes played and one of only three to start all 17 matches for Memphis. In his first year as a Tiger, Galizzi recorded four goals and one assist, including a game-tying goal in a 2-1 comeback victory against Florida Atlantic.

Ryan Ruguaru, a Memphis native, finished his first collegiate season in 2024 as a member of the American Conference All-Freshman Team. He recorded seven starts, including the final five matches of the season. He logged 90-minute outings in defense against South Florida and FIU, as well as Memphis' 1-0 win over then No. 9 ranked Charlotte.

Memphis opens its regular season on the road on Thursday, August 21 at 7 p.m. against Lipscomb before returning home to play host to Belmont (Aug. 24) and Mercer (Aug. 28)

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.

2025 American Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Charlotte (4)              58
2. FIU (1)                      47
3. Memphis (2)             46
    South Florida (1)        46
5. Missouri State (1)      45
6. Florida Atlantic          33
7. UAB                         19
8. Tulsa                        16
9. Temple                     14

(#) denotes first place votes

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Mamadou Diarra, Gr., F, Florida Atlantic

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Wes Bottenburg, Sr., D, Tulsa

Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Leo Stritter, Sr., Charlotte
Filip Sabatti, Sr., Memphis

Preseason All-Conference
Mathis Richter, So., D, UAB
Natsuki Ogata, Jr., F, Charlotte
Leo Stritter, Sr., GK, Charlotte
Mamadou Diarra, Gr., F, Florida Atlantic*
Aboubacar Traore, Sr., M, Florida Atlantic
Sebastian Zettl, Sr., M, Florida Atlantic
João Domíngues, Sr., D, FIU
Eduardo Mustre, Sr., F, FIU
Owen Travis, Gr., D, FIU
Luciano Galizzi, 6th, F, Memphis*
Ryan Ruguaru, So., D, Memphis
Filip Sabatti, Sr., GK, Memphis
Alex Matthews, Jr., M, Missouri State
Pedro Faife, Jr., M, South Florida*
Tyler Richardson, So., D, South Florida
Wes Bottenburg, Sr., D, Tulsa

* denotes unanimous selection

University of Memphis Athletics

Sabatti Named American Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, Tigers Tabbed Third

Players Mentioned

Luciano Galizzi

Ryan Ruguaru

Filip Sabatti

Related Videos