DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis women's soccer looks to bounce back on the road this week with games at Lamar and LSU.

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN/FOLLOW

Aug. 28 — at Lamar | ESPN+ | Live Stats | @ucdaviswsoc (X/Instagram)
Aug. 31 — at LSU | ESPN+ | Live Stats | @ucdaviswsoc (X/Instagram)

GAME NOTES

• UC Davis in their last match, dropped a 2-1 contest at home against San Jose State.
• Scoring for the Aggies was Summer Humphreys, recording her first collegiate goal on an assist from Viet-Thy Tran.
• Prior to San Jose State, Sarah Canavan assisted on both of UC Davis' goals at Pacific in UC Davis' first win of the season, with Ava Coverdale scoring the first goal of the game in the 10th minute, and Genavieve Fontes, a preseason All-Big West and United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch, netting the game-winner.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

• Lamar is 0-3 to begin the year and are led by a veteran group of Anneliese Switzer, Kaitlyn Niemeyer, Kamryn Harvey, Mariana Cardenas, Annika Kassenbrock, Riley Wilson, and Olivia Smith, who combined for nine goals and 19 points in 2024.
• Last season, UC Davis made history with their 4-3 win over LSU, marking the first ever program win over an SEC school.
• This year, LSU is paced by seven Tigers who earned spots on the 2025 SEC Preseason Watchlist: Gabbi Ceballos, Sydney Cheesman, Makenna Dominguez, Jazmin Ferguson, Ava Galligan, Ida Hermannsdóttir, and Amy Smith, who lead a group that is looking to clinch their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.

SEASON NOTES

• New Era: First win of the Kat Mertz era came in a 2-1 win on the road at Pacific on Aug. 17.
• Season Opener: The Aggies opened the year with a 1-1 draw against Fresno State, behind a first-career goal from Sydney Bushman
• 2024 Recap: UC Davis went 13-5-2 and finished second in the Big West.
• 2025 Poll: Aggies picked eighth in the Big West preseason coaches' poll (37 points).
• The 2025 season marks the start of a new era for UC Davis women's soccer under head coach Kat Mertz, who brings 26 years of collegiate coaching experience
• Mertz's coaching philosophy centers on creating a competitive environment and embracing the program-wide standard to "find joy" in the work.
• The staff features two new assistants: Emilee Tominovich, a member of the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship staff at Cal Poly Pomona who leads recruiting and scouting, and Abbie Faingold, a former Portland State and professional goalkeeper who oversees the goalkeeper group and player mentorship.
• All eyes on Genavieve Fontes: The redshirt senior was named to the 2025 Big West Preseason Coaches' Team; United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch; led Big West with 11 goals in 2024 (four game-winners).
• The roster blends a strong returning core highlighted by players such as Fontes, Sarah Canavan, Ashleigh Garcia, Ava Coverdale, Livi Lewis, and Sydney Bushman.
• In addition, Mertz's 2025 squad is highlighted by several newcomers, including transfers Shayna Ross (Colorado State), Courtney Wagner (Cal Poly), Lisette Gregoris (Arizona State), and Kiley Fehrenbacher (Oregon). While Mertz's first incoming freshmen class consists of Jordan Perry, Sierra Cordola, Ava Peterson, Brooklyn Tanon, and Bailey Rakela.
• This is UC Davis' final season in the Big West before joining the Mountain West in 2026.