University of Memphis Athletics
Wednesday, October 28
Memphis, Tenn.
7 p.m.
University of Memphis
vs
Charlotte
Oct 27, 2026 | Men's Soccer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis men's soccer program looks to solidify a position in the American standings in a matchup against conference leader, Charlotte, on Wednesday at the Track & Soccer Complex.
Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Memphis (7-2-5, 2-0-4 American) is coming in hot after a 5-1 victory over South Florida last weekend, with Keanan Bader recording his first collegiate brace.
Bader was a bright spot in the South Florida match as a part of a Memphis squad that has peppered opposing goalkeepers, with its highest goal output since 2019. Five Tigers (Renan Syrio, Miller Lashlee, Keanan Bader, Saad Chaouki, Carson Banham) all have at least four goals on the year, led by Syrio's team-leading seven. Distribution has also been key as four of those five have at least 10 points due to having multiple assists. Three Tigers (Miller Lashlee, Eben McIntyre, Dino Stavros) have at least four assists in 2026.
Memphis' back line saw a slight change, with Ryan Ruguaru, Jin Tokishi and Junior Saint Juste anchoring the unit. Ruguaru, a defender strong in possession and in the air, was an American Conference weekly honorable mention after playing a full 90 minutes and assisting on the opening goal against the Bulls, scored by Saad Chaouki.
In goal, Mathias Christensen only had to make one save against the Bulls in 81 minutes and is now 3-1-5 on the year, saving 28 shots with a .700 save percentage.
SCOUTING THE 49ERS
Charlotte (7-2-4, 3-1-2 American) enters in a three-way tie for first in the American but recently fell for the first time in conference play by a score of 1-0 on the road against Tulsa.
The Charlotte attack has been explosive, leading to the 49ers outscoring their opponents 25-12. Nine of those goals have come from Irish forward, Mike Raggett. The junior is one of five to have started all 13 matches this year and has amassed 20 points in his first collegiate season. Former Marshall forward Larry Noel has also been strong up front, scoring six goals and adding three assists, primarily as a substitution. One of the two Preseason Offensive Players of the Year in the conference, Natsuki Ogata has been balanced in production, scoring four goals and assisting on five.
Defensively, Preseason American Defender of the Year Samuel Manufor has continued from his successful freshman campaign, playing over 1,000 minutes with Vilmer Brunskog as the 49ers have kept four clean sheets on the year. Goalkeeper Alex Svetanoff has a 5-2-3 record on just a 1.01 goals-against-average on the year.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST CHARLOTTE
Memphis and Charlotte have gone back and forth recently, with neither side recording back-to-back wins in the series since the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Under head coach Richard Mulrooney, the Tigers are 1-2-1 against Charlotte, with the one win coming when the 49ers were ranked ninth in the nation.
In last season's contest, Memphis fell in Charlotte by a score of 3-1, with Miller Lashlee scoring in the 62nd minute before the 49ers scored two unanswered goals, including one just a minute after Lashlee's goal.
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 and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Memphis (7-2-5, 2-0-4 American) is coming in hot after a 5-1 victory over South Florida last weekend, with Keanan Bader recording his first collegiate brace.
Bader was a bright spot in the South Florida match as a part of a Memphis squad that has peppered opposing goalkeepers, with its highest goal output since 2019. Five Tigers (Renan Syrio, Miller Lashlee, Keanan Bader, Saad Chaouki, Carson Banham) all have at least four goals on the year, led by Syrio's team-leading seven. Distribution has also been key as four of those five have at least 10 points due to having multiple assists. Three Tigers (Miller Lashlee, Eben McIntyre, Dino Stavros) have at least four assists in 2026.
Memphis' back line saw a slight change, with Ryan Ruguaru, Jin Tokishi and Junior Saint Juste anchoring the unit. Ruguaru, a defender strong in possession and in the air, was an American Conference weekly honorable mention after playing a full 90 minutes and assisting on the opening goal against the Bulls, scored by Saad Chaouki.
In goal, Mathias Christensen only had to make one save against the Bulls in 81 minutes and is now 3-1-5 on the year, saving 28 shots with a .700 save percentage.
SCOUTING THE 49ERS
Charlotte (7-2-4, 3-1-2 American) enters in a three-way tie for first in the American but recently fell for the first time in conference play by a score of 1-0 on the road against Tulsa.
The Charlotte attack has been explosive, leading to the 49ers outscoring their opponents 25-12. Nine of those goals have come from Irish forward, Mike Raggett. The junior is one of five to have started all 13 matches this year and has amassed 20 points in his first collegiate season. Former Marshall forward Larry Noel has also been strong up front, scoring six goals and adding three assists, primarily as a substitution. One of the two Preseason Offensive Players of the Year in the conference, Natsuki Ogata has been balanced in production, scoring four goals and assisting on five.
Defensively, Preseason American Defender of the Year Samuel Manufor has continued from his successful freshman campaign, playing over 1,000 minutes with Vilmer Brunskog as the 49ers have kept four clean sheets on the year. Goalkeeper Alex Svetanoff has a 5-2-3 record on just a 1.01 goals-against-average on the year.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST CHARLOTTE
Memphis and Charlotte have gone back and forth recently, with neither side recording back-to-back wins in the series since the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Under head coach Richard Mulrooney, the Tigers are 1-2-1 against Charlotte, with the one win coming when the 49ers were ranked ninth in the nation.
In last season's contest, Memphis fell in Charlotte by a score of 3-1, with Miller Lashlee scoring in the 62nd minute before the 49ers scored two unanswered goals, including one just a minute after Lashlee's goal.
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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