Big West

Brief Conference Bio
2013 Big West Tournament Champions: UC Irvine
Offensive Player of the Year: Mac Pridham, Cal Poly
Defensive Player of the Year: Marco Franco, UC Irvine
Midfielder of the Year: Enrique Cardenas, UC Irvine
Goalkeeper of the Year: Omar Zeenni, UC Davis
Freshman of the Year: Ismaila Jome, UC Santa Barbara
Coach of the Year: Tim Vom Steeg, UC Santa Barbara

North Division

UC Santa Barbara (12-6-3, 7-0-3)

This is going to be a challenging season for the UCSB coaching staff. The preseason poll picked the Gauchos as favorites of the north division, which is not much of a surprise. However, UCSB is replacing a number of key pieces from last year’s team. The back four is rebuilt and the midfield is going through an overhaul. There is talent on the squad, but will the lack of experience plague the Gauchos later in the year? There are 19 freshmen and sophomores on the roster, which makes this one of the youngest teams in the country. 

UC Davis (9-9-3, 4-4-2)

Defense is clearly the strong point of this squad. Senior center back Ramon Martin del Campo earned a call-up to the U.S. U23 Men’s National Team in the offseason and he will be the anchor of the Aggies defense. However, Davis is looking for a replacement in net after Big West Goalkeeper of the Year Omar Zeenni graduated. If Davis finds a consistent starter in goal and a consistent scoring threat, it could make the Big West North interesting this season.

Cal Poly (10-9-2, 3-5-2)

Cal Poly head coach Paul Holocher left the program for a position with a club soccer team in Hawaii one week before the preseason started. The Mustangs promoted the assistant coach, but that’s a tough spot to step into. Steve Palacios is one of the few seniors on the squad, and should lead this team this fall through the turmoil.

Sacramento State (3-11-4, 1-8-1)

It’s a broken record, but the Hornets are a young squad and they need some help in the attack. The coaching staff targeted attacking talent with its incoming crop of recruits. If one of them is ready, Sacramento State should enjoy a better season this fall. If not, it’s going to be hard to crawl out of the bottom of the Big West.

South Division

UC Irvine (15-5-3, 7-2-1)

Head coach George Kuntz hopped on the freeway and went over to conference rival Cal State Fullerton in the offseason. Irvine, pleased with the progress of the program, promoted from within. Chris Volk will rely on returners Cameron Iwasa and Lester Hayes III. Transfer Mario Ortiz is a stud and should star immediately. 

Cal State Northridge(m) (15-7-1, 5-4-1)

The Matadors are one of the few programs in the Big West without any shakeup recently. Head coach Terry Davilla put his head down and got to work with this group, which enters the season as favorites in the conference. Striker Sagi Lev-Ari is the forward that every program wishes it had. Lev-Ari, a finisher with experience, will continue to benefit from quality players around him in Northridge as he piles on the goals and wins for the Matadors.

UC Riverside (9-8-3, 4-5-1)

There’s a solid squad emerging with Riverside. Eric Gonzalez has the tools to be a professional player at one point. Romario Lomeli learned the ropes of a trade as a freshman in 2013 and should have a breakout campaign in 2014. Riverside needs those guys along with Otis Earle to stay healthy to keep pace with this tough division.

Cal State Fullerton (6-11-1, 3-6-1)

There is little doubt that George Kuntz will turn the Fullerton program into a winning one. However, there are some doubts about how quickly that will happen. There is going to be competition at every position on the field, which should quickly change the culture with the Titans for this fall and the future.