SAN DIEGO - Head coach Ryan Hopkins has released SDSU's 2023 schedule. The 18-match slate features 11 home contests and 11 matches against teams that made the postseason in 2022.
SDSU's non-conference schedule is highlighted by matches against three conference champions from last season: Denver, UC Riverside and San Diego.
"We selected a variety of opponents, not only in and out of our region, but with various playing styles to make sure we are as ready as possible for the rigorous Pac-12 slate," Coach Hopkins explained.
After a pair of preseason friendlies against UC Irvine (Aug. 11) and at California Baptist (Aug. 18), the Aztecs officially kick off their season on August 24th at Denver. The Pioneers are coming off their fourth straight Summit League championship. SDSU trumped Denver last year 2-1 when the Pioneers were ranked sixth in the nation. Coach Hopkins was the assistant coach at Denver from 2013-17 and helped DU make four NCAA tournaments and the 2016 Final Four.
The Aztecs' home opener will be on August 28th when they welcome in Cal State Bakersfield. This begins a stretch of eight straight home matches, which is the longest in school history.
Up next is Cal Poly on September 1st, who the Aztecs last played in 2021 (T, 1-1). The following weekend SDSU hosts George Washington University (Sept. 8), then UC Riverside (Sept. 10). The Highlanders went 8-8-4 last year and were Big West champs.
Next up on The Mesa, SDSU will take on Life Pacific (Sept. 18) and Utah Tech on (Sept. 21). This will be the Aztecs' first time playing both opponents.
Starting off the Pac-12 schedule, the Aztecs have a two-game weekend against California (Sept. 28) and Stanford (Oct. 1). SDSU went 0-1-1 against both squads last year. Stanford made it to the third round of the NCAA tournament in 2022 before losing to UNC Greensboro in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.
Hitting the road for the first time in over a month, the Aztecs will travel to the Pacific Northwest to play perennial powerhouse Washington (Oct. 5) and Oregon State. The Huskies won the Pac-12 last year title and finished their season ranked sixth in the nation.
Oregon State also made the postseason in 2022 after going 7-4-6. SDSU played the Beavers to a 2-2 draw last year to earn their first result in Corvallis in a decade.
In SDSU's final non-conference game, the Aztecs will travel across town to face USD on October 14th. The Aztecs beat the Toreros 4-2 last year.
The Aztecs will then drive a couple hours north to UCLA on October 20th. The Bruins advanced to the Sweet 16 last year.
Back at home, SDSU will then play Oregon State (Oct. 26) and Washington (Oct. 29) one more time.
Traveling up to the Bay, the Aztecs will battle Stanford (Nov. 2) and Cal (Nov. 5) again. SDSU shutout the Cardinal 0-0 on the road last year.
In their last regular season match, SDSU will host UCLA (Nov. 10) for senior night.
After last season, the Aztecs had five players sign professional contracts, believed to be a program record: Blake Bowen (Seattle Sounders), Jacob Castro (Seattle Sounders), CJ Fodrey (Austin FC), Kyle Colonna (New Mexico United), and Elias Katsaros (Tacoma Defiance).
All SDSU's road Pac-12 contests will be shown on Pac-12 Networks while the majority of their home games will be streamed for free on the Aztec Digital Network. All matches at the SDSU Sports Deck are free.
2023 San Diego State Men's Soccer Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Aug. 11 UC Irvine (Friendly) 6 p.m.
Aug. 18 at California Baptist (Friendly) 7 p.m.
Aug. 24 at Denver 6 p.m.
Aug. 28 Cal State Bakersfield 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 Cal Poly 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 George Washington 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 UC Riverside 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 Life Pacific 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 Utah Tech 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 California* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Stanford* 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Washington* 7 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Oregon State* 12 p.m.
Oct. 14 at San Diego 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 at UCLA* 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 Oregon State* 7 p.m.
Oct. 29 Washington* 3 p.m.
Nov. 2 at Stanford* 7 p.m.
Nov. 5 at California* 2 p.m.
Nov. 10 UCLA* 7 p.m.
* Pac-12 match
All times listed Pacific
Aztecs Release 2023 Schedule
