Season Opener Preview
On August 20, the Belmont University men’s soccer team will host Memphis at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville, marking the start of the 2026 campaign and the first of a doubleheader that also features the women’s squad against Chattanooga.
The matchup represents the 22nd meeting in a series that favors the Tigers, who hold an 18‑2‑1 edge, but the Bruins hope to add another chapter to their own story of resilience and growth.
Belmont will field a blend of experience and fresh talent, bringing back 16 players from a 2025 squad that finished fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference and posted a program‑record 13‑match unbeaten streak. Among the returnees are 12 letter‑winners, while eight summer recruits and two January additions — including senior forward Nathan Ferguson and freshman defender Judah McCloud — will look to make immediate impacts.
Head coach David Costa, who improves to 4‑1‑2 in season openers, will rely on a defense that allowed just 13 goals last year, the fifth fewest in the nation, and a home record that includes five straight opening‑day victories at Rose Park.
Memphis arrives as the eighth‑seeded team in the American Conference preseason poll, with sophomore forward Miller Lashlee and redshirt senior Eben McIntyre earning spots on the all‑conference team. The Tigers, who reached the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2023, will be looking to rebound from a 3‑5‑0 conference record in 2025.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Carter Gledhill handling the play‑by‑play, while live statistics will be posted on BelmontBruins.com, giving fans real‑time insight into what promises to be a compelling start to the season.