Davis, Calif. — Two standout performances in the opening weekend of play have Tracy Hamm and her Aggies as the lone team in the Big West sporting a 2-0 record.
In the opening game against Idaho State, the Aggies stomped the Bengals with a 5-0 victory and then followed up that impressive opener with a 3-0 win against the Sacramento State Hornets in a Causeway clash.
Standouts for UC Davis included Sam Tristan who registered three goals last week, Devyn Simmons who had a goal in each contest, as well as Caeley Goldstein who earned Big West Defensive Player of the Week for two clean sheets.
With the opening weekend out of the way, UC Davis is ready to host St. Mary's at Aggie Soccer Field on Thursday, August 24 at 5 p.m., before traveling to San Francisco to take on the Dons Sunday, August 27 at 4 p.m. The contest against St. Mary's game can be viewed on ESPN+ with Jonah Malkin set to call the action.
THIS WEEK
The Aggies will take host St. Mary's on Thursday, and visit San Francisco on Sunday.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Links for the broadcast and live stats can be found on the schedule page at ucdavisaggies.com. In-game updates will also be provided through X by following @ucdaviswsoc.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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FINDER'S KEEPERS
After being a wall for the Aggies last season, registering five shutouts, Caeley Goldstein is yet again ready to take on the challenge. Hamm adds, "She has lots to prove and has a year of experience under her belt now. Voted as a team captain, she will anchor the back line. She's a great leader, and provides a good presence."
Already asserting her presence, Goldstein earned the first Big West Defensive Player of the Week of 2023.
The honor is Goldstein's third as an Aggie and echoes her performance from a year ago when she was awarded Defensive Player of the Week during the first weekend of play in 2022.
In the season opener against Idaho State, Goldstein recorded one save, helping UC Davis dominate the Bengals 5-0. She followed that performance up with another shutout against Causeway rival Sacramento State, again recording one save. Goldstein faced 13 shots this week and was instrumental in organizing the Aggie backline.
Goldstein is just one of 55 keepers in the country to record two shutouts in the first week of play.
PRESEASON HONORS
A pair of standout Aggies were named to the 2023 Big West Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Team, the conference announced as Leslie Fregoso and Risa Yamada were appointed to the 12-member team.
Two-time First Team All-Big West selection Leslie Fregoso finds herself on the Preseason Coaches' team for the third time in her career. In 2022, Fregoso added more accolades to her historic resume, becoming just the fourth Aggie in the Division I era to be selected to the NSCAA All-Region Second Team. Leading the Aggies in points (14) last season with a team-high six goals, Fregoso also added two assists which were tied for third among all Aggies. Looking to shatter even more records in 2023, Fregoso is one of the most decorated Aggies of the Division I era, currently ranking second in most points (45), second in career goals (17), fifth in game-winning goals (6), third in career assists (9), second in career shots (145), along with the third fastest goal scored in UC Davis history (0:40 vs Sacramento State). Fregoso should yet again serve as the focal point for the Aggies in 2023.
Joining Fregoso is redshirt-junior, Risa Yamada. After missing the majority of the 2022 season due to injury, Yamada is primed for a return to form in 2023. A breakout debut season with the Aggies in 2021, Yamada was named to the All-Big West Conference First Team after making 13 starts and scoring six goals with four assists. She went on a five-game stretch from Sept. 5 to Sept. 26 recording at least a point in games against Idaho State, Sacramento State, Saint Mary's, CSU Bakersfield, and CSUN. She was twice responsible for the scoring in Aggie wins, netting both goals of a 2-0 win over Cal Poly on Oct. 13 and had a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over UC Irvine on Oct. 17.
HEROIC HOLLEY
Another former All-Big West First Team selection is back this year in the form of Jayde Holley. Earning All-Big West Second Team selection and Big West All-Freshman Team in her first year with the Aggies two seasons ago, Holley followed up an impressive debut season with an All-Big West First Team selection as well as being just the third Aggie in the Division I era to be named to the All-West Region Third Team. Hamm adds, "Jayde is stalwart in our backline and will continue to add depth to our defensive unit. She is an important part of our attack as well."
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
With a new season, there are always going to be new players who can come in right away and make an immediate impact. This season, Hamm expects freshman Elise Picard and transfer Sam Tristan to be key players for the Aggies.
The former Archbishop Mitty Monarch, Picard enters UC Davis with a decorated high school resume, most recently being named to the WCAL First Team, as well as the United Soccer Coaches High School All-Region Team. Picard has seen action this year in the Aggie backline and has been key to two UC Davis shutouts.
Tristan, a striker and transfer from Fresno State has a proven track record from her time as a Bulldog. A former All-Mountain West Second Team selection and All-Newcomer Team member, Tristan will provide UC Davis with experience and the ability to contribute right away to a team with title aspirations. Tristan has scored three goals in the first two games and has been front and center of most Aggie scoring opportunities.
BREAKOUT SEASONS
After picking up an All-Big West First Team selection this past year, "breakout" is a word that you probably wouldn't attribute to a player. In Emma Vane's case, Coach Hamm is expecting Vane to continue getting better and have an even bigger year in 2023. "I'm expecting a big season from Emma. She is a very talented box-to-box midfielder with a high motor. I'm looking forward to seeing her rise to the occasion this year and lead the team on the field by example." Vane picked up her first goal of 2023 against the Hornets and registered an assist in the opener against Idaho State.
Another breakout candidate for the Aggies is Sarah Canavan. Tabbed to the Big West All-Freshman Team in 2022, Canavan is another key member for UC Davis who should help the Aggies contend for a title. Hamm notes, "I'm hoping this is Sarah's breakout season. She is healthy and ready to show how talented she is. I've set a high standard for her this year and I know she can get there." Canavan recorded her first assist of the year against the Hornets, setting up Aggie teammate Sam Tristan.
KEY GAMES
Outside of the Big West conference schedule where every match matters, UC Davis has some exciting matchups in 2023 to look forward to. Coach Hamm is looking forward to the Nebraska game and the WCC matchups, "It'll show who the top teams in the west are and will be quality matchups for us going into conference." With a pair of WCC matchups this week, UC Davis is eager to put their talents to the test.
