University of Memphis Athletics
Saturday, October 3
Memphis, Tenn.
7 p.m.
University of Memphis
vs
Missouri State
Memphis to Host No. 7 Missouri State Saturday Night
Oct 02, 2026 | Men's Soccer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis men's soccer team is set for its toughest task of the season up until this point, playing host to No. 7 Missouri State in an American Conference match Saturday night.
Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m. CT with a broadcast on ESPN+.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Memphis (4-2-3, 0-0-2 American) enters the matchup after suffering just its second loss of the season in a 1-0 home result against Jacksonville. In the match, Memphis conceded 33 seconds in and was unable to find the back of the net despite registering 20 shots.
Memphis has registered multiple goals in all but two matches this season, averaging over two goals a match with 19 on the year. Leading the way is Carson Banham, who has four goals this season while only starting one match. Miller Lashlee and Renan Syrio trail closely behind with three apiece, and last match saw the Tigers play different compared to their usual style, recording season highs in shots (20) and corners (nine). On the year, Memphis is being outpaced 37-57 in corner kicks.
The Memphis back line has been consistent this season, with Junior Saint Juste and Ethan Cook being the only two players to have started every match this season and have over 750 minutes played. Marko Stajnko, Henrique Cruz and Keanan Bader trail close behind, all having more than 600 minutes on the field in 2026.
Junior goalkeeper Mathias Christensen is 0-1-3 in his first four matches with the team, recording 18 saves and carrying a 1.75 goals-against-average, along with a .720 save percentage.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
No. 7 Missouri State (8-0-1, 3-0-0 American) stands as one of just seven unbeaten teams remaining in Division I men's soccer, a list that includes fellow American Conference school, Florida Atlantic. Missouri State's most recent result was a 2-0 win over Central Arkansas on Tuesday.
Diego Real must be the first name mentioned when talking about the Bears' offensive production. The former NAIA All-American has seven goals and four assists on the year, including a pair of those goals coming on Tuesday against Central Arkansas. Ben Furlong and Fionn Mooney have also been strong contributors for the Bears, sitting at three and four goals, respectively.
Missouri State has carried one of the nation's top scoring offenses while also allowing just one goal a game while rolling out a true tandem of goalkeepers. Danny Cullum and Fernando Alves Schmelz have perfectly split time, with each playing 405 of a possible 810 minutes. Cullum, a native of Felixstowe, England, has made 16 saves this season, while only allowing seven goals. Alves Schmelz earned a start Tuesday night against Central Arkansas and has seven saves while only allowing two goals, also recording three clean sheets.
This season in Division I, Missouri State ranks sixth nationally in goals (26) and goal differential (17) and is tied with SMU for the highest winning percentage (.944) in the country. Of the Bears' 27 rostered players, only one is from the United States, with 10 coming from England.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST MISSOURI STATE
Memphis holds an 8-7-2 record against Missouri State, dating all the way back to 1987, but the series has drawn closer in recent years with the Bears winning the last two matchups. Memphis picked up one of its recent ranked wins against the Bears when the Tigers earned a 1-0 win on the road against the then No. 9 ranked Bears in 2023.
Last season's match was the first time the two programs faced off as members of the American Conference, with Missouri State securing a 1-0 win on a 51st minute goal. In that 2025 contest, the teams combined for just 11 total shots.
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.
Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m. CT with a broadcast on ESPN+.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Memphis (4-2-3, 0-0-2 American) enters the matchup after suffering just its second loss of the season in a 1-0 home result against Jacksonville. In the match, Memphis conceded 33 seconds in and was unable to find the back of the net despite registering 20 shots.
Memphis has registered multiple goals in all but two matches this season, averaging over two goals a match with 19 on the year. Leading the way is Carson Banham, who has four goals this season while only starting one match. Miller Lashlee and Renan Syrio trail closely behind with three apiece, and last match saw the Tigers play different compared to their usual style, recording season highs in shots (20) and corners (nine). On the year, Memphis is being outpaced 37-57 in corner kicks.
The Memphis back line has been consistent this season, with Junior Saint Juste and Ethan Cook being the only two players to have started every match this season and have over 750 minutes played. Marko Stajnko, Henrique Cruz and Keanan Bader trail close behind, all having more than 600 minutes on the field in 2026.
Junior goalkeeper Mathias Christensen is 0-1-3 in his first four matches with the team, recording 18 saves and carrying a 1.75 goals-against-average, along with a .720 save percentage.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
No. 7 Missouri State (8-0-1, 3-0-0 American) stands as one of just seven unbeaten teams remaining in Division I men's soccer, a list that includes fellow American Conference school, Florida Atlantic. Missouri State's most recent result was a 2-0 win over Central Arkansas on Tuesday.
Diego Real must be the first name mentioned when talking about the Bears' offensive production. The former NAIA All-American has seven goals and four assists on the year, including a pair of those goals coming on Tuesday against Central Arkansas. Ben Furlong and Fionn Mooney have also been strong contributors for the Bears, sitting at three and four goals, respectively.
Missouri State has carried one of the nation's top scoring offenses while also allowing just one goal a game while rolling out a true tandem of goalkeepers. Danny Cullum and Fernando Alves Schmelz have perfectly split time, with each playing 405 of a possible 810 minutes. Cullum, a native of Felixstowe, England, has made 16 saves this season, while only allowing seven goals. Alves Schmelz earned a start Tuesday night against Central Arkansas and has seven saves while only allowing two goals, also recording three clean sheets.
This season in Division I, Missouri State ranks sixth nationally in goals (26) and goal differential (17) and is tied with SMU for the highest winning percentage (.944) in the country. Of the Bears' 27 rostered players, only one is from the United States, with 10 coming from England.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST MISSOURI STATE
Memphis holds an 8-7-2 record against Missouri State, dating all the way back to 1987, but the series has drawn closer in recent years with the Bears winning the last two matchups. Memphis picked up one of its recent ranked wins against the Bears when the Tigers earned a 1-0 win on the road against the then No. 9 ranked Bears in 2023.
Last season's match was the first time the two programs faced off as members of the American Conference, with Missouri State securing a 1-0 win on a 51st minute goal. In that 2025 contest, the teams combined for just 11 total shots.
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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GK
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D
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D
/ Men's Soccer
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