SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State men’s soccer team officially kicks off their 2024 season Aug. 23 when they host UC Riverside at 7 p.m. The Aztecs will then play across town at the University of San Diego Monday at 7 p.m.
All SDSU’s home matches will be streamed on WAC International TV. The streams are free but require you to create an account. Monday’s match at USD will be streamed on ESPN+, which requires a subscription.
Aztec Tidbits
- SDSU will be competing in the WAC as an affiliate member this year following the demise of the Pac-12. The Aztecs, who played in the Pac-12 for the past 19 years, played in the WAC from 1996-98. The WAC has sent multiple teams to the NCAA tournament in five of the last seven years.
- The Aztecs were picked to finish third in the WAC Preseason Coaches’ poll, trailing Seattle and California Baptist.
- San Diego State has been in the national rankings in two of the last three seasons.
- SDSU’s first five matches will be in San Diego with four being on the Sports Deck and one at the University of San Diego (Aug. 26).
- The Aztecs have four opponents that are ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll: No. 4 Oregon State, No. 14 Vermont, No. 23 Seattle and RV San Diego.
- Last season was the first since 2012 that SDSU had four players with at least 10 points, Three of those players return: Austin Brummett (17), Rommee Jaridly (13) and Terence Okoeguale (10).
- SDSU is undefeated (10-0-3) in their last 13 non-conference matches and have gone undefeated in non-conference play in two of the last three seasons.
- The Aztecs are 15-1-1 in non-conference home matches under head coach Ryan Hopkins (5th season).
- San Diego State is 18-10-4 at home over the last three seasons.
Player Notes
- Long Island transfer André Puente was named a “Defender to Watch” by the United Soccer Coaches, one of 16 players to be highlighted. Puente has been an All-NEC First Team selection each of the past three seasons and made the All-Northeast Region Team the past two years.
- Sophomore defender Reid Fisher was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American (College Soccer News) last season.
- Both Puente and Fisher were named top 100 players in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer.
- Fisher was tabbed the WAC Preseason Defender of the Year by the league’s coaches.
- Austin Brummett was named to the Preseason All-WAC Team.
- The Aztecs return three of their top four leaders in points from a season ago, Brummett, who had a team-high 17 points (7 goals and 3 assists).
- Rommee Jaridly, a Pac-12 honorable mention selection a year ago, was second on the team with 13 points (4 goals and 5 assists).
- Jules Anderson tied for second on the team with five assists last season.
- Beto Apolinar led the Aztecs’ midfielders in minutes a year ago.
- SDSU has 10 players in their fourth, fifth or sixth year of college.
- The Aztecs return nine letterwinners and six starters. 10 returners started at least one match last season.
- SDSU has 13 newcomers (seven transfers and six freshmen).
- Midfielder Daniel Pacella, one of two transfers from Vermont, made the America East Second Team twice and was the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2020-21.
- Forward Robbie Matei, a transfer from American University, was a Patriot League Second Team selection in each of the last two seasons.
Opponent Notebook (UC Riverside)
The Highlanders went 3-9-5 last year and 3-3-3 in the Big West… They were picked to finish seventh (out of 10) in the Big West Preseason Coaches’ Poll… Head coach Tim Cupello (11th season) was named the 2022 Big West Coach of the Year after leading UCR to the Big West regular season title… The Aztecs are 8-3-2 all-time against UCR. SDSU beat them 2-0 last season.
Opponent Notebook (San Diego)
The Toreros went 11-4-4 last season and 5-1-1 in the WCC and qualified for their second straight NCAA Tournament… They lost to California Baptist in PKs in the first round of the tournament… They are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and were picked to finish third in the WCC Preseason poll and Trevor Dillon was an All-WCC Preseason honoree… Head coach Brian Quinn is in his seventh season as USD’s head coach after spending 11 years on staff as an assistant… The Aztecs are 16-7-3 all-time vs. USD. They tied 1-1 in front of a record-breaking crowd at Snapdragon Stadium last year.