DAVIS, Calif. -- UC Davis men's soccer freshman Nabi Kibunguchy was named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Starting XI for the Western Conference as a member of the Sacramento Republic FC Academy U-17/18 squad during the organization's end-of-year awards announced this month.

One of four defenders selected to the Western Conference's Starting XI, the incoming Aggie was a key member of the back line that helped the Sacramento Republic FC Academy to a 17-8-7 record and a berth into the quarterfinal round of the USSDA playoffs, and allowed the third-fewest goals in the Northwest Division -- where they finished second to eventual finalist Vancouver Whitecaps FC -- during the 2015-16 campaign.

Kibunguchy also earned a call-up to the ranks of the U.S. U-19 Men's National Team and helped the Red, White, and Blue, to the 2016 Slovakia Cup title -- the program's first tournament title since it was installed by U.S. Soccer in 2015. The United States defeated Georgia (5-1) and Ukraine (2-1) in group stage, before defeating Russia, 2-1, in the finals.

A complete list of the end-of-year awards is available at ussoccerda.com.

Kibunguchy and his new UC Davis teammates open their 2016 season on Aug. 21 with an exhibition against Chico State at the Aggie Soccer Field at 5 p.m., before officially kicking-off the campaign at home against San Jose State on Aug. 26 at 5 p.m.