DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis men's soccer will close out the non-conference portion of their 2025 schedule by hosting San José State Wednesday night at Aggie Soccer Field.

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN/FOLLOW
Sept. 24 — vs. San José State | Watch | Live Stats | @ucdavismsoc (X/Instagram)

GAME NOTES

• UC Davis enters the week with an 0-4-3 record following a 2-1 home loss to Pacific
• The Aggies struck first in the match on Chase Tanon's 7th-minute goal, assisted by Gabriel Haggerty, before Pacific equalized before halftime and scored the eventual winner in the second half
• UC Davis has now scored first in back-to-back home matches
• Zack Lillington led the Aggie attack against Pacific with three shots, while Ben Elkins, Gabriel Sanchez, and Zachary Neuls all generated second-half chances as the Aggies pressed for an equalizer
• In goal, Mekhai Wilson made his first start of the 2025 season, finishing with three saves
• UC Davis ranks 3rd in the Big West and 92nd nationally in shots per game (12.29), while sitting 3rd in the league and 91st nationally in shots on goal per game (5.00)
• The Aggies are also effective in set pieces, ranking 3rd in the Big West and 78th nationally in corner kicks per game (5.00)
• UC Davis ranks 4th in the Big West and 114th nationally in shot accuracy (40.7%)
• Offensively, the Aggies rank 8th in the Big West in both scoring offense (0.57 goals per game) and points per game (1.57), totaling four goals this season
• Defensively, UC Davis ranks 5th in the Big West and 141st nationally in team goals-against average (1.57). The Aggies are still seeking their first shutout of 2025
• Individually, Cason Goodman leads the Big West in shot accuracy (50%), which also ranks 61st nationally. Goodman is 2nd in the league in shots on goal per game (1.00)
• Lillington ranks 2nd in the Big West in shots per game (2.14) and 3rd in shot accuracy (40.0%). He has contributed a goal and an assist this season
• Neuls recorded his first goal of the season at Washington, assisted by Lillington
• Goalkeeper Noah Schwengeler has logged 450 minutes this year and ranks 4th in the Big West and 132nd nationally with a 1.40 goals-against average

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

• The Spartans enter the match with a 5-1-2 record, including a 2-0 win at Pacific in their most recent outing
• San José State owns one of the top defenses in the nation, ranking 25th nationally in goals-against average (0.75) and 10th in shutout percentage (62.5%)
• Offensively, the Spartans average 1.50 goals per game and nearly 13 shots per match, led by a balanced attack that has produced multiple goals in five contests
• San José State has earned results against strong competition, including a 2-2 draw with nationally ranked Stanford and wins over Cal Poly, Saint Mary's, and Sacramento State
• The Spartans rank Top 50 nationally in assists per game (1.88) and carry a +6 goal differential on the season

SEASON NOTES

• Defending Big West Champions: UC Davis enters 2025 as the reigning Big West Tournament champions after defeating UC Santa Barbara in last year's final. The title marked the program's second in the last five season and the Aggies secured its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance.
• Preseason Honors: Seniors Cason Goodman and Zack Lillington headline the Aggies' preseason accolades. Both were named to the Big West Preseason Coaches' Team and United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch list. Goodman, the 2024 Big West Tournament MVP, scored 11 goals with 25 points, while Lillington anchored the Aggies with 18 starts, one goal, and four assists.
• Hermann Trophy Watchlist: Cason Goodman was named to the 2025 Hermann Trophy Watch List. The Hermann Trophy, presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club, is considered the top individual award in college soccer and honors the National Player of the Year as voted on by Division I head coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches. 
• 2025 Big West Poll: The Aggies were picked to finish third in the Big West preseason poll despite receiving the most first-place votes (69 points), narrowly behind UC Santa Barbara (73) and Cal Poly (71).
• National Spotlight: UC Davis will face Cal Poly in a primetime showdown on Oct. 1, live on ESPNU, marking a rematch of last season's Big West semifinal.
• Under the Lights: Aggie Soccer Field hosted its first-ever night matches this spring following the completion of a $4.4 million lighting project shared with Dobbins Baseball Stadium. The defending champions will now officially begin their title defense under permanent lights.
• Program Legacy: UC Davis men's soccer has established itself as one of the Big West's premier programs under head coach Dwayne Shaffer, who enters his 29th season in 2025. Shaffer has guided the Aggies through their transition from Division II to Division I, a period in which the program was not eligible for postseason competition, yet still has elevated the Aggies to national relevance. Under his leadership, UC Davis has made five NCAA Tournament appearances (1999, 2007, 2008, 2019, 2024) and reached five Big West Championship finals in the last seven years. A four-time conference coach of the year, Shaffer has amassed 258 wins at UC Davis and 317 career victories, ranking among the top 15 winningest active Division I coaches.
• Veteran Leadership: The 2025 squad features an experienced senior class led by captains Luke Goodman and Cason Goodman, along with Lillington, Andrew Dutra, Gavin House, Noah Schwengeler, Chase Tanon, and Jason Hsu.
• Rising Talent: Sophomore defender Carson Hammond, a 2024 Big West All-Freshman selection, headlines the strong group of underclassmen expected to play a big role.
• New Additions: UC Davis welcomes 10 newcomers in 2025, blending transfers and freshmen into a 29-man roster.
• Among the 10 newcomers, three of them are transfers in Saul Tecle (Las Positas JC), Ben Elkins (Gonzaga), and Gabriel Sanchez (Sonoma State).
• UC Davis' other newcomers include Derrick Green, Jackson Richardson, Nami Banks, Caelan Kellett, Josh Gault, Cole McLemore, and Kota Brown.
• Associate Head Coach Jason Hotaling returns for his 21st season, recognized nationally among the top assistants in collegiate soccer. He has been instrumental in recruiting, scouting, and goalkeeper development while helping UC Davis to four NCAA Tournament appearances and the program's first Big West double in 2019.
• Assistant Coach Cayden Hotaling joins the Aggies in 2025 after a playing career at Chico State.
• Columbus Crew Star: Former Aggie standout Max Arfsten has emerged as one of the top young American professionals, winning the 2023 MLS Cup with the Columbus Crew, earning a spot in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, and starring for the U.S. Men's National Team at the Gold Cup.
• Continued Pipeline: Keegan Walwyn-Bent became the latest Aggie to sign professionally in 2025 with The Town FC of MLS Next Pro, continuing a recent pipeline that includes Arfsten, and Ethan Hoard, who recently signed with FK Jedinstvo Ub of the Serbian SuperLiga.
• Developing Professionals: UC Davis has now produced three consecutive classes with professional signees, continuing the program's strong reputation for developing talent that competes at the next level.