Several months after the MFS Boys’ Varsity Soccer season came to a close, forward Preston Galanis ’25 received recognition from the administration, as well as the Upper School community, for surpassing the school’s career goals record. With over four seasons played for the team, Galanis scored 58 goals and set the new record for Moorestown Friends soccer career assists, providing 45 of them in total.
Prior to Galanis surpassing the previous highest number of both goals and assists, these records were held by Matt D’Ottavi ’21, who scored 57 career goals, and Galanis’s older brother, Astin Galanis ’21, who had 39 career assists.
Galanis acknowledged that much of his success is the product of true dedication from his family and those around him.
“I credit my record … most importantly to my mom and dad who have been supportive and helped me ever since I was a kid … [and] my brother because he’s always believed in me and given me someone to look up to,” he said.
MFS Boys’ Varsity Soccer Coach Mike Schlotterbeck reflected on Galanis’s achievement, and the vast amount of effort behind it.
“It’s not really an award, it’s a milestone,” he explained, “Preston has scored the most career goals and had the most career assists in over 100 years, so it’s a tremendous accomplishment.”
Soccer is, at its core, a team sport, and Galanis gave many thanks to the teammates who have joined him throughout his high school career.
“The team would be nowhere near as good, and I wouldn’t have achieved this, without the help of my teammates.” Galanis specifically mentioned Matthew Schlotterbeck ’25, Vikram Verma ’25, Jared Kolaris ’25, Dean Simpson ’26, and Alex Kostopolous ’26.
Simpson, who shared the field with Galanis for the past three years, reflected, “His goals are really a product of his hard work and the kind of team culture we’ve built around here. That kind of winning culture that helped [Galanis] score all those goals, he also helped build as a true leader of this team. It’s sad to see him go after a great three years, but we all know he’s off to do great things.”
Coach Schlotterbeck also commented on what he thinks creates opportunities for individual success on the Moorestown Friends Boys soccer team.
“Anytime we talk about individual either milestones or some of the post-season awards the guys got, that’s ultimately a product of the entire team,” he added.
Reflecting on the end of his high school career, Galanis looks to the future. He explained, “I feel proud that I accomplished a lot at MFS and I am very happy about my soccer career here, but I want to go even further. The job is not done.”
