SAN DIEGO – The Aztecs officially kick off the 2023 season Thursday at Denver and then host Cal State Bakersfield Monday evening for their home opener.
Aztec Tidbits
- San Diego State won both of their preseason friendlies, beating UC Irvine 2-1 at home and then topping California Baptist 2-0 on the road last Friday.
- The Aztecs have 10 newcomers in 2023 with six transfers and four freshmen. Top Drawer Soccer ranked SDSU as having the 14th best incoming class in the country. SDSU was rated as the best incoming class in the nation a year ago.
- Of the six transfers joining SDSU, four are fifth-year seniors, one is a fourth-year senior and the other is a junior. In total, the Aztecs have 10 players in their fourth or fifth year of college.
- The Aztecs also have eight players who are true or redshirt freshmen.
- SDSU had 15 players playing in the USL League Two over the summer. Nine of them played for clubs that made the playoffs including Christian Engmann, a transfer from Saint Mary's, who won the championship with Ballard FC.
- After the season opener at Denver, the Aztecs will play eight straight home matches, which is the longest streak of consecutive home games in the program's 55-year history.
- SDSU recently hired Adrian Dubois as an assistant coach. He comes from Vermont who made the Elite Eight and finished No. 4 in the country last year. Dubois was tabbed as one of the top 12 assistant coaches in the country by College Soccer News.
- The Aztecs are two wins away from their 500th victory in program history (498-384-121).
- Following last season five Aztecs signed professional contracts, believed to be the most in program history. CJ Fodrey, the Top Drawer National Freshman of the Year, became the highest selection in the MLS SuperDraft in school history when Austin FC drafted him No. 13 overall. Blake Bowen (Seattle Sounders), Jacob Castro (Seattle Sounders), Kyle Colonna (New Mexico United) and Elias Katsaros (Tacoma Defiance) also moved to the professionals ranks.
Player Notes
- Defender Reid Sproat was named to USL League Two First Team for his play with Fort Wayne FC over the summer. A three-time All-Horizon League selection at Oakland University, Sproat was also listed by Top Drawer Soccer as one of the top players in the Pac-12 for 2023.
- Freshman forward Alex Soukup was tabbed as one of the top freshmen in the Pac-12 by Top Drawer Soccer.
- Midfielder Beto Apolinar was listed as a Pac-12 Breakout Player by Top Drawer Soccer.
- Midfielder Henry Smith-Hastie, along with Apolinar, is one of two returners that played in all 18 matches a season ago. Smith-Hastie is the team captain this season.
- Forward Alexander Levengood, a four-year starter and three-time All-CAA First-Team selection at William & Mary, led the nation in shot accuracy last year (.659). He tallied 62 points on 24 goals and 14 assists across 58 matches at William & Mary.
- Defender Noah Crétier and midfielder Tristan Viviani, who were part of the heralded 2022 recruiting class, were named Top 75 freshmen in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer last season.
Coach Hopkins' Take on Denver
"Denver is annually one of the best teams in the country. They are extremely well-coached and disciplined in every phase of the game. Their X factor is their mentality, which allows them to overwhelm teams. Our boys will be ready for the fight in an NCAA tournament-like matchup."
Opponent Notebook (Denver)
The Pioneers are receiving votes in the preseason United Soccer Coaches poll and ranked No. 19 by Top Drawer Soccer… They went 14-3-5 last year and 6-0-2 in the Summit League… They won the Summit League championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament where they lost at Duke 3-1… They return 16 letterwinners and nine starters from that team including Lukas Fisher and Sam Bassett who each had 20 points last season… Ben Smith was named to the United Soccer Coaches Midfielders to Watch list… He is one of four returners who have logged at least 40 starts… Goalkeeper Isaac Nehme allowed just 15 goals in 21 matches last year… Denver outscored its opponents 41-15 last season… Head coach Jamie Franks (9th season) is 97-33-23 at Denver… Aztec head coach Ryan Hopkins was an assistant at Denver from 2013-17 and helped them make four NCAA tournaments and the 2016 final four with a 20-1-3 record… The Aztecs are 4-5-1 all-time against Denver… SDSU beat the Pioneers 2-1 at home last year when Denver was ranked No. 6 in the country.
Coach Hopkins' Take on Cal State Bakersfield
"Bakersfield is always well organized and plays with a chip on their shoulder. These early season matchups can go either way as teams try to figure out their identity, so I fully expect a competitive college soccer match."
Opponent Notebook (Cal State Bakersfield)
The Roadrunners played three preseason friendlies, going 1-2-0 in those contests… They went 2-13-2 last season and 0-8-1 in the Big West… They host San Jose State Thursday evening… Adam Grant is CSUB's interim head coach, taking over the reins after Richie Grant (no relation) stepped down July 15… Adam Grant is in his second year at CSUB after spending 12 years at Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tenn.) including six as their head coach… The Aztecs are 7-1-0 all-time against CSUB and beat them 1-0 in their last meeting (Sept. 12, 2021).
Aztecs Kick Off Season at Denver Thursday Evening
