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The Pac-12 will not be the same after this season due to mass college realignment, a shame for one of the premier conferences in college soccer. It sets the template for an epic season as the programs seek one last championship as currently constructed. Last season saw Washington take the conference crown, but of the four Pac-12 teams to qualify for the NCAA tournament, it was Stanford and UCLA standing tall with runs to the third round. Ahead of what could be its final season, here is a preview of the Pac-12 Men’s College Soccer season.

2022 Big East Standings:

1. Washington 7-1-2 (15-2-3) – NCAA Second Round

With more luck, Washington could have won the National Championship. They had only suffered one loss on the year going into the NCAA Tournament, but they ran into the most in-form striker in college soccer, Duncan McGuire, and his two goals and one assist accounted for the three goals Creighton scored in a 3-1 victory. An outstanding season ending in the second round of the NCAA Tournament is ideal motivation for the 2023 season. And returning seven of their 11 players who played over a thousand minutes and key transfers such as Peter Kingston, Washington is primed for another elite season.

2. Stanford 4-2-4 (12-2-6) – NCAA Third Round

Jeremy Gunn is one of the best coaches in college soccer history, meaning Stanford is a threat for the national championship every season. And in a year where they return many impact players from the season prior and only a few incoming additions, Stanford has to be one of the favorites to make a run at a national championship.

3. Oregon State 3-1-5 (7-4-6) – NCAA Second Round

A regime change at Oregon State has led to the exit of many of its top players, such as Pac-12 Player of the Year Joran Gerbet and several All-Conference selections. At least new head coach Greg Dalby got the full spring to work with his players following a five-year tenure on the Penn State staff. The Pac-12 is a tough league to go through that much change in, and Dalby will have his work cut out for him.

4. UCLA 4-4-1 (12-7-1) – NCAA Third Round

As another team who lost a few vital players to the portal, UCLA reloads with the third-ranked recruiting class in the country. They also add proven collegiate commodities such as Jack Sarkos from Lehigh, Ryan Becher from UMBC, and Sean Karani from Temple, which will all compete for a starting spot.

5. San Diego State 1-6-3 (5-9-4)

San Diego State is steadily building a formidable team as coach Ryan Hopkins puts together another impressive recruiting class. Last season saw CJ Fodrey win TopDrawerSoccer Freshman of the Year before signing a Generation Adidas contract and being selected by Austin FC as the thirteenth pick in the draft. This season they bring in the 14th-ranked class, led by Alixson Soukup of LAFC. With those freshmen and several standout transfers, San Diego State could surprise many with their improved record.

6. California 1-6-3 (3-8-6)

As another team looking to rebuild based on the strength of its Freshmen, California brings in the 21st-ranked class as Leonard Griffin prepares for his second season at the helm. It could not come at a better time, as the 2024 Pac-12 realignment could open the door for easier access to the NCAA tournament.

Top Freshmen to Watch:

Mateo Pinilla, UCLA (#30 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Pinilla may be ranked 30th in the class but is the third-best 2023 prospect opting for college soccer. And with experience on the Colombian and U.S. youth national teams, Pinilla is already a well-known prospect for scouts, lining him up as the next UCLA pro standout.

Alixson Soukup, San Diego State (#51 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Following the number one ranked recruiting class in 2022 is no easy task, but San Diego State has done well to bring in the likes of Soukup, a dynamic winger with top-line speed and excellent 1-v-1 qualities. And with Fodre winning the TDS Freshman of the Year award last season, San Diego State is building quite a reputation for excellent recruitment and development.

Dylan Groeneveld, Stanford (#116 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

With some of the highest standards in college sports, Stanford is supremely selective in who it brings into the program. The San Diego Surf 2023 ECNL National Champion is an athletic center-back with quality on the ball, traits any program would love to have.

Justin Knighton, California (#130 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Knighton is one of those players that explodes off the screen the first time you watch him. His ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 in the flash of an eye makes me a nearly unstoppable attacker, whether 1-on-1 or running in behind. Prospects like that are worth their weight in gold, so there is no doubt California will find a role for the LA Galaxy MLS Next graduate.

Andrew De Gannes, Oregon State (Trinidad & Tobago U20)

As a Trinidad & Tobago U20 standout and USL player with Atlanta United 2, De Gannes is more ready for college soccer than most are. Oregon State has put together quite the recruiting class, and De Gannes may be the best.

Top Players to Watch:

Christian Soto, Washington

One of the top players returning to college soccer, Washington did well to bring Soto back for one more season. The midfielder is an elite controller with seemingly no weaknesses as he orchestrates the Washington tempo. With Soto, a national championship is not out of the picture.

Nonso Adimabua, California

A handful for defenders in his first Pac-12 season, Asimabua earned second-team all-conference. With that year of adjustments out of the way, the Nigerian striker could explode for double-digit points.

Ryan Becher, UCLA

Becher joins UCLA with quite the reputation as one of the more prolific attackers in college soccer. At UMBC last season, he accounted for 23 goal contributions in 18 games with 13 goals and ten assists. And while the Pac-12 will be a different proposition, Becher certainly has the talent to excel again.

Reid Sproat, San Diego State

An experienced center-back transfer from Oakland, Sproat comes to San Diego State in the form of his life, having been named to the USL 2 Team of the Year for his exploits with Fort Wayne FC over the summer. Sproat reads the game well and is not afraid to engage attackers, making him a valued asset for any defense.

Shane de Flores, Stanford

If de Flores picks up from where he left off with five goals and three assists in the last eight games, Stanford will hit the ground running. As a redshirt freshman, the California native did well to earn his spot in the rotation, starting in eight of his 19 appearances. With that position, de Flores could set the conference on fire with his attacking displays.