Highlanders Picked Fourth, Hernandez Named Preseason All-Big West
8/19/2022 12:08:00 PM | Men's Soccer
UCR Earns Highest Preseason Big West Ranking Since 2018
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside was picked to finish fourth in the 2022 Big West men's soccer season, according to Friday's Preseason Coaches' Poll. Senior midfielder Leopoldo Hernandez was selected to the 11-person Preseason All-Big West team.Â
The Highlanders' fourth-place preseason positioning is tied for the program's highest since the 2018 Big West championship season, and Hernandez is UC Riverside's fifth Preseason All-Big West selection since 2015.Â
UCR edged out Sacramento State by a single vote for fourth with 47, and sits two behind third-place UC Davis.Â
Hernandez earned Second Team All-Big West and Big West All-Academic honors last season after recording four goals and two assists in 18 starts, including the game-winner in the Big West quarterfinal at Cal Poly.Â
UC Riverside kicks off the 2022 season on Thursday, August 25 at Utah Valley, and will play its home opener on Sunday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m. against St. Thomas at the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium. Admission is free for all seven home matches in 2022.Â
| 2022 Big West Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll | ||
| Rank | School | Votes (First Place) |
| T1.    | UC Santa Barbara | 71 (6) |
| T1. | UC Irvine | 71 (3) |
| 3. | UC Davis | 49 |
| 4. | UC Riverside | 47 |
| 5. | Sacramento State | 46 |
| 6. | Cal Poly | 44 (1) |
| 7. | CSUN | 41 |
| 8. | Cal State Fullerton | 35 |
| 9. | CSU Bakersfield | 28 |
| 10. | UC San Diego | 18 |
| 2022 Big West Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Team | |||
| Name | Year | Position | School |
| Carlos Armendariz | Senior | Midfielder | CSU Bakersfield |
| Thaabit Baartmann | Senior | Midfielder | UC Santa Barbara |
| Finn Ballard McBride | Junior | Forward | UC Santa Barbara |
| Ashish Chattha | Senior | Midfielder | UC Irvine |
| Sebastian Cruz | Sophomore | Midfielder | Cal State Fullerton |
| Henry Davies | Senior | Defender | UC Santa Barbara |
| Leopoldo Hernandez | Senior | Midfielder | UC Riverside |
| Robert Mejia | Senior | Midfielder | UC Irvine |
| Francesco Montanile | Sophomore | Midfielder | UC Irvine |
| Drew Patterson | Sophomore | Forward | Cal Poly |
| Andy Velasquez | Senior | Midfielder | UC Davis |
