Davis, Calif. - With training camp and exhibitions concluded, the Aggies will face an early test to kick off the 2022 season as they head to Corvallis, Ore. and a date with the No. 5 Oregon State Beavers.
Who: Oregon State Beavers
When: Thursday, Aug. 25
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Corvallis, Ore. (Paul Lorenz Field)
How to Follow:
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ABOUT THE AGGIES
Head Coach
Dwayne Shaffer's 26th season sees the veteran Aggie skipper leading a group that includes 13 newcomers and 15 returnees...Among that group of returnees, just three are upperclassmen with two seniors in
Andy Velasquez and
Emmanuel Doherty...Thursday marks the third straight season opener in which the Aggies have played an opponent at least receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll...Wisconsin was receiving votes in 2019 and Washington was ranked No. 9 for 2021's season opener...Shaffer's teams have advanced to the Big West Championship game in three out of the last four seasons with the fourth being 2021's semifinal round appearance...
ABOUT THE BEAVERS
Oregon State enter Thursday's opener ranked fifth in the nation and coming off a Pac-12 Championship along with an appearance in the NCAA in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament last season...The Beavers are led by Head Coach Terry Boss in his fifth season (42-19-9)...14 of those wins came during 2021's 14-2-4 campaign...UC Davis is 2-2-2 all-time against the Beavers...Each of the teams' last two meetings have gone to double overtime, a 1-1 draw in 2018 and a 1-0 win for the Aggies in 2011...A Sept. 29, 2019 matchup was canceled due to weather.
AGGIES PICKED TO FINISH THIRD IN THE BIG WEST
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.
VELASQUEZ NAMED TO BIG WEST PRESEASON COACHES TEAM
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.
