Cal Poly - Chris Gaschen
Big West Experience:
“Playing in the Big West has been very challenging in the sense that any team can beat any team that day. Every team has their own style of play, which makes for a diverse and competitive league. Playing for Cal Poly has been amazing and I've really enjoyed my time here.”
Most Memorable Moment:
“My most memorable moment over the past four years would be our rivalry games against UCSB. Scoring the golden goal in 2010 was a blessing but also beating them in the last minute in 2011 on a PK and then scoring a tying goal this year with 66 seconds left at Santa Barbara and winning in extra time will be the most memorable moments.”
What’s Next:
“I am a Christian so I will be focusing on ministry and the plan is to see where the Lord is leading. I will also be finishing up college and maybe getting my teachers credential to be a teacher and a coach.”
Photo By Matt Brown
Cal State Fullerton - Jesse Escalante
Big West Experience:
“It has been a privilege to play for one of the most competitive Division I leagues in the entire nation. The Big West Conference has enabled me to perform to my best ability and has also increased my passion, strength, work rate, and love for the sport. The Fullerton men’s soccer program has to help me to be "inspired to personal motivation, to perform with a positive attitude, to strive to do everything right all the time, to have pride in the uniform and to always expect to win." I would not change these years for anything else.”
Most Memorable Moment:
“My most memorable moment took place Fall 2010 when we were the 4th seed against number 1 seed UC Irvine and defeated them to advance to the Big West finals against UC Santa Barbara.”
What’s Next:
“I have two dreams that I have aspired to accomplish for a couple years now, one being a Spanish professor and the other is to play at a professional level. I have wanted to become a teacher for a couple years now in order to give back to the students and teach them a language that I have studied at a university level. Lastly, playing at a professional level has been a dream that I have had for my entire life and I will work as hard as possible to accomplish it.”
Cal State Northridge - Joe Franco
Big West Experience:
“It’s been an unbelievably amazing experience playing here at CSUN. I am very thankful to Coach Davila for giving me the opportunity to play four years for him and competing in one of the toughest leagues in Division I soccer, the Big West. It’s been a learning experience every year but the amount of support I get from the coaches, my teammates, and family really helped me channel my energy into striving to becoming the best person I can be on and off the field and lead by example.”
Feeling Going Into Conference Tournament:
“It means a lot for not only me, but also all the seniors and the entire squad to advance to the Big West tournament. It’s a small sign that shows how far we’ve come as a team, but we still have so much to show for and prove to others. I know I am coming from a biased position but it would be an empty feeling if this team did not win the tournament with the amount of talent and potential we have on this squad.”
What’s Next:
“Next for me, I’m striving to play at the next level. My dream has always been to play professionally and I hope those dreams will one day come true. I have a deep hunger and determination to make my parents and family proud and have them see me one-day play professionally. But after soccer I’m looking to use my degree in Finance and Minor in Sociology (with a focus in Criminology) to getting involved with federal law enforcement, working with the FBI, CIA, etc.”
Photo By Wayne Tilcock/Davis Enterprise
UC Davis - Mustafa Chopan
Big West Experience:
“The Big West is one of the best conferences in the nation and so it's a challenge and a joy to play at such a high level. It's my last year at UC Davis and it's actually my first time living with some of my teammates and it's a totally new friendship. You become friends on a different level.”
Feeling Going Into the Conference Tournament:
“It means everything. This is why we ultimately play the game: to be winners.”
Most Memorable Moment:
“My most memorable moment is hopefully yet to come (Big West champions), but besides that it was beating UCLA at home in overtime last year. This year, the wins against Santa Barbara and Sac State were very memorable too.”