DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis men's soccer returns an experienced group for its 2023 campaign under head coach Dwayne Shaffer, who enters his 27^th season on the Aggies' touchline.
 
"I am very excited about our team," Shaffer said. "We have an excellent group of returning student-athletes that gained valuable playing experience last season and developed even more throughout our spring season.  We have also added an excellent group of new players into our team to add depth at every position."
 
While the Aggies finished with an overall record of 5-9-4 a season ago, the Blue and Gold were just three points behind title-winners UC Riverside in the Big West table. The conference proved to be extremely competitive in 2022 as first and eighth positions were separated by just five points. UC Davis brings back nine starters this fall, but the Aggies employ one of their deepest squads in recent memory as they make a run at their first conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019.
 
Goal scoring will need to be an area of improvement for UC Davis, scoring just 15 goals in 18 matches during its previous campaign. The Aggies were strong at the back, however, featuring the Big West's fourth-best defense in terms of goals-allowed last season.
 

Leaders Between the Sticks
UC Davis boasts some experienced and reliable options at the goalkeeper position, beginning with redshirt junior Charles Janssen who started 16 of the team's 18 matches last season. On top of his outstanding leadership abilities at the back, Janssen surrendered just 18 goals in his 17 total games which was the third-best mark in the conference. Standing at 6'2", the Sebastopol native made some game-changing saves in crucial moments during the 2022 season and hopes to bring that momentum into 2023.
 
Spencer Gillen is another experienced option between the posts as the junior made two starts and five total appearances a season ago. Mekahi Wilson is an incoming freshman with some impressive size and athleticism. He showed some flashes of his talent during preseason training, particularly with his ability to confidently command the penalty area.
 

Anchors in the Back
The Aggies return their entire starting backline, an area that proved to be an area of strength a season ago. Luke Goodman and Jason Hsu impressed as the center back pairing and will look to anchor the backline yet again this fall. L. Goodman immediately broke onto the scene in his first season of collegiate soccer, logging a team-high 1,455 minutes as a true freshman. He will be accompanied by Hsu who hails from San Rafael, an accomplished ball-playing center half. Both defenders are excellent with their aerial challenges and bring some much-needed athleticism to the UC Davis defense.
 
At left back, Cole Pond is poised for another spectacular season after enjoying a solid sophomore year. Making 16 starts and 18 total appearances, Pond showed his ability to get involved in the attack by using his pace on the left flank. Hayden Carlson is another left-footed defender who brings an enormous amount of value as he can play at both the left back and left center back spot.
 
Sean Bilter will provide some senior leadership as he prepares to fill the starting right back role. The pacey Hillsborough native brings an exciting attacking presence coupled with great 1v1 defending ability.
 
Takeru Horike is also quite versatile in the defense and looks to play an increased role during his sophomore year.
 

The Engine Room
The UC Davis midfield has featured some exciting talent in recent years, with recent graduate Max Glasser being the latest example as he signed a professional contract with Monterey Bay FC in the offseason. Despite losing their top assister from a season ago, the Aggies possess a wealth of options in the middle of the pitch going into 2023.
 
Shaffer has confidence in some of his younger players in central midfield with sophomores Lucas Fernandez-Kim and Zack Lillington expected to play massive roles this fall. Fernandez-Kim was a mainstay in the central midfield with his outstanding technical ability and excellent passing range. Lillington will likely be the perfect complement with his exceptional physical presence and superb athleticism. The Fairfax native with a 6'4" frame netted two goals in his first season wearing the Blue and Gold, including a spectacular winner in the 82^nd minute against UC Irvine.
 
A trio of juniors will likely contribute heavily in the Aggies' deep midfield with Scott Buie, Kevin Welch, and Dane Becker all playing a significant role during the 2022 season. Buie is a versatile player who has shown that he is capable of playing both in defense and midfield due to his ball-winning ability while Becker is more of an attacking option, with cameos on the wing or attacking midfield position during his career. Welch is a fourth-year junior who has grown immensely in his career and will look to play increased minutes and compete for a starting role after notching seven starts and 11 total appearances last fall.
 
Sophomore Kenny Livernois is a bright midfield option who impressed in his 11 appearances as a true freshman. His excellent technique and high IQ in the build up phase makes him a great candidate for more playing time this fall. Colton Franklin is coming off a redshirt, but showed great improvement during the winter and spring, making him a promising option for Shaffer and the coaching staff.
 
 
The Finishing Touches
UC Davis struggled to find the back of the net in 2022, averaging less than a goal per game. Ethan Hoard will look to change that narrative in his last season. The Green Bay transfer was the Aggies' leading goal-scorer during his junior year but was unlucky to not see his goal tally rise as he hit the woodwork many times, just missing out on some great scoring chances. The strong, powerful striker has the feet and the quickness to play out on the wing and will look to improve upon his five goal contributions (3 goals, 2 assists) from a season ago. He was to the 2023 Big West Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' team and hopes to lead his team from the front.
 
Ryan Dieter enters his fifth and final season at UC Davis. Coming into college as a midfielder, Dieter possesses some vibrant 1v1 attacking ability which has made him unbelievably dynamic in the attacking third. The Santa Rosa native notched three assists - which is the most of all the returning players - while bagging one goal in 2022. Dieter is very technical and will look to create for the forwards, but has ability to get his name on the scoresheet as well.
 
One of the team's more versatile options in the attack will be Andrew Dutra, who has made appearances at right back and the midfield in addition to his primary attacking role. He turned heads in his first season as an Aggie, making 15 appearances and three starts. Dutra's greatest asset is his pace, which will make him a difficult man to mark for opposing defenses.
 
Poised for his first collegiate action is Ian Ngonethong, coming off a redshirt season. He was the 2021-22 Gatorade Player of the Year in Hawai'i and will look to make an impact in his first season in the Blue and Gold. Featuring mainly on the wing, Ngonethong is quick and direct in the final third, looking to provide the end product in 2023.
 
Another striker hungry to improve UC Davis' attacking threat will be Cason Goodman, who finished with two goals and an assist last year. Standing at 6'3", C. Goodman brings a large frame to the penalty box and will look to use that to his advantage this fall. Fellow sophomore Chase Tanon will be a change of pace at the position as his low center of gravity and top-notch positioning will making him tough to mark in the penalty area.
 
Marcus Garcia scored on his collegiate debut a season ago and hopes to build upon a solid redshirt freshman year while Keegan Walwyn-Bent brings immense size and athleticism to the attacking line. Walwyn-Bent scored an important winner in the Aggies' victory over Pacific last September as the Canadian forward is poised for a big 2023 after turning heads in the team's preseason action.
 

Young and Vibrant
Freshman Tristan Wouters and Declan Horio have been impressive offensive additions during the preseason. Both add an attacking presence in the team along with excellent quickness. Cole Powell has established a presence as defender, while Carson Hammond has excellent athleticism and versatility making him useful in multiple defensive positions.
 

Season Opener
The Aggies fly to the Midwest for a pair of matches in Ohio to begin the 2023 campaign. The season opener will take place on Aug. 24 against Dayton before a marquee matchup against a talented Ohio State side on Aug. 27.

Live stats can be found here for both matches and the Ohio State match will be streamed live here.
 
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