University of San Francisco Athletics

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San Francisco's storied men's soccer tradition is firmly rooted in its six national championships, 36 conference championships and 42 All-Americans. However, the Dons last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and have endured seven straight losing seasons. Enter new head coach Eddie Soto, who spent the last eight seasons as an assistant at UCLA, who brings an energy and exuberance that he hopes can help guide USF back to national prominence.
 
"The vision I have for this program is to be a national contender again," Soto said. "There is no secret how I like the game to be played, how I coach the game. I want this stadium to be full of young fans, full of the student body, with the alumni, to be happy and proud and excited when they come watch our team play."
 
The 2014 team brings back seven starters among 14 letterwinners, including leading goal scorer Miguel Aguilar, all-league defender Joshua Smith and the WCC's saves leader, Chase Hauser.
 
"After the first week of training, there was a good group to work with," Soto said. "It's a different philosophy, a different approach and the kids really bought in.
 
"It's about every day coming out and having them understand there is a task at hand every day that we are here. We're not going to take a training session for granted."
 
Soto has also brought in a new coaching staff with international standout Alex Yi, Steven Sosa and Mike McNeill. Yi played for the U.S. National Team and has played overseas for Antwerp FC (2002-05) and with the MLS' FC Dallas (2005-08). At the age of 13, Sosa played with the Sparta Rotterdams U-13/14 teams on Holland and later played for the USA U-17 National Team.
 
"When I got hired was to get some good recruits but more importantly was to get a good staff," Soto said. "I'm really excited with the four of us that it is really going to compliment what we're bringing in here and helping me change the environment and culture."
 
STRIKERS
The Dons struggled to get shots off in 2013 scoring just 17 goals in 20 matches, including five contests where the Dons managed to score more than one goal. This has been a point of emphasis for Soto.
 
"It's obviously something that we are looking to expand on because, as a striker myself, having a goal scorer who led the team with three goals is unacceptable," Soto said.
 
Senior Miguel Aguilar was tied for the team lead in goals with three, had a solid spring season and has continued his training by playing with the Portland Timbers developmental team. Freshmen Aaron Lombardi (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. / Laguna Hills HS) and Bryce Kaminski (San Clemente, Calif. / San Clemente HS) both played under Soto at the Los Angeles Galaxy development academy and will be counted on to provide a spark to an offense that scored multiple goals five times.
 
MIDFIELDERS
The graduation of Mauricio Diaz De Leon has left a leadership void in the midfield, however, there are a number of players who will by vying for playing time.
 
"I really challenged the kids this spring and to continue to play in the summer," Soto said. "What we did here in the spring is a great spring for what we were going to do in the fall."
 
Senior Danny Kirkland took on the challenge and spent the summer playing with the San Jose Earthquakes development team and Soto challenged him to get in better shape, which he has done.
 
"He's extremely fit right now," Soto said. "He finished the spring in unbelievable fashion against Cal where he played 90 minutes and it was something that I was challenging him on the entire spring."
 
Junior Kevin Gould also returns and is a solid defensive midfielder. Junior Davi Ramos transferred from North Carolina State and is described by Soto as a crafty, technical player. Freshman KJ Ahlo was was named a top 14 high school player by Top Drawer Soccer in 2014 and a top five amateur player by Nike in 2013.
 
BACK FOUR
Defense looks to be the strength for USF again. The Dons allowed 22 goals and posted seven shutouts a year ago and the return of junior Joshua Smith, sophomore Christian De Luna and senior David Romney along with the addition of some youthful energy should provide a solid back line.
 
"Our back line is probably our best asset right now," Soto said. "Having Josh [Smith] back there with Dave Romney, we have a freshman, Manny Padilla, coming in who is a very dynamic defender who loves to go forward but is a very good 1-v-1 defender as well.
 
GOALKEEPER
The 6-foot-4 Hauser led the West Coast Conference in saves per game and recorded three shutouts in nine games. His production and work ethic has him penciled in as the starter going into the season.
 
"Chase has done really well here, transferring from Cal Poly. He's taken the No.1 spot. He's come in and done well in the spring, he's got great training habits," Soto said."
 
James Nielssen has done well in the spring and Treston Kederer comes in, both looking to give Hauser some competition for playing time.
 
2014 SCHEDULE

Day	Date	Opponent	Location	Time
Wednesday	Aug. 20	California#	Berkeley, Calif.	4:30 p.m.
Friday	Aug. 29	Wisconsin	Madison, Wis.	5:30 p.m.
Sunday	Aug. 31	Illinois-Chicago	Chicago, Ill.	11 a.m.
Friday	Sept. 5	Cal State Fullerton	Fullerton, Calif.	7 p.m.
Friday	Sept. 12	Florida Gulf Coast	San Francisco, Calif.	7 p.m.
Sunday	Sept. 14	Central Arkansas^	San Francisco, Calif.	3 p.m.
Friday	Sept. 19	Cal Poly	San Luis Obispo, Calif.	8 p.m.
Friday	Sept. 26	UC Davis	San Francisco, Calif.	7 p.m.
Sunday	Sept. 28	San Jose State	San Jose, Calif.	3 p.m.
Friday	Oct. 3	San Diego*	San Diego, Calif.	5 p.m.
Sunday	Oct. 5	Loyola Marymount*	San Francisco, Calif.	3 p.m.
Sunday	Oct 12	Santa Clara*	Santa Clara, Calif.	2 p.m.
Friday	Oct. 17	Portland**	San Francisco, Calif.	7 p.m.
Sunday	Oct. 19	Gonzaga**^	San Francisco, Calif.	2:30 p.m.
Friday	Oct. 24	Stanford	San Francisco, Calif.	7 p.m.
Friday	Oct. 31	Saint Mary's**	Moraga, Calif.	3 p.m.
Sunday	Nov. 2	Pacific**	Stockton, Calif.	3 p.m.
Friday	Nov. 7	Loyola Marymount**	Los Angeles, Calif.	7 p.m.
Sunday	Nov. 9	San Diego**	San Francisco, Calif.	3 p.m.
Saturday	Nov. 15	Santa Clara**	San Francisco, Calif.	7 p.m.

 
# - Scrimmage
^ - Part of double header with Women's Soccer
*- West Coast Conference opponent, non-league match
** - West Coast Conference matches
All times listed as PST