Davis, Calif. - UC Davis was picked to finish third in the Big West Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll and Andy Velasquez was named the Preseason Coaches' Team, the conference announced on Friday. 

2022 marks the second straight season UC Davis has been picked to finish in the top three. Over the last five seasons, Head Coach Dwayne Shaffer's teams have never been picked lower than fourth. 

A senior returning for his fourth season and sixth year with the program, Velasquez was named a 2021 All-Big West Conference Honorable Mention last season. He was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team in 2018 and was an All-Big West Conference Second Team selection in 2019. 

Velasquez was also named the Big West Preseason All-Conference Team in 2021. 

He's appeared in 57 games over three seasons, including all 20 in back-to-back seasons with starts in 39 of those 40 games. Velasquez was the Aggies' third-leading goal scorer in 2021, netting a career-high five goals and also setting career-highs with two assists and 11 shots on goal. 

Following an exhibition match against Chico State on Saturday at 11 a.m., UC Davis will open the 2022 season on the road at Oregon State on Aug. 25.