Coaches Tab UC Santa Barbara Favorite To Win Men's Soccer Title

UC Santa Barbara was picked to win the 2005 Big West Men's Soccer championship and will partially lean on top returning goal scorer Jonathan Davis for that purpose. Photo By Matt A. Brown

UC Santa Barbara was tabbed to win the 2005 Big West Men's Soccer championship in a vote of the conference's six head coaches. The Gauchos, who are attempting to capture their fourth Big West title in five seasons, collected four first place votes and 33 points in earning the top nod.

UCSB is coming off the most successful season in program history after finishing 21-3-1 and reaching the championship match of the 2004 NCAA College Cup. The Gauchos held the No. 1 position in the polls for several weeks and came within a penalty kick shootout of winning a national championship. Despite losing to Indiana 3-2 in the shootout, the Gauchos bring back an arsenal of talent with six returning starters and 14 letterwinners in hopes of raising the crown in 2005. A pair of 2004 Freshmen All-Americans in Andy Iro and Tyler Rosenlund lead the attack, as well as All-Big West First Team selection Pat Scott.

The Gauchos received a preseason national ranking of No. 7 by College Soccer News and that same publication rated UCSB's recruiting class 14th-best in the nation based on the early signing period. The group of newcomers is headlined by Eric Avila, a member of the U.S. Under-18 National Team.

UCSB's chief rival for the Big West championship is Cal State Northridge. The Matadors finished second in the poll with 29 points and joined the Gauchos in last year's postseason party. CSUN, the 2003 Big West champion, returns seven starters and 13 letterwinners to the fold. The two-time Big West Co-Offensive Player of the Year is junior Willie Sims, who is the Big West top returner in goals (16) and points (34). The Matadors also welcome back first team all-conference performer Daniel Paladini.

Cal State Fullerton received one first place vote and came in third with 22 points. The Titans return three of their top five scorers from last season. UC Irvine, led by 2004 Big West Midfielder of the Year Brad Evans, finished in fourth place with 18 points. Evans is a member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team and led the Anteaters with seven goals and 18 points a year ago.

UC Riverside and Cal Poly rounded out the poll with the Highlanders receiving 13 points for fifth place. Despite finishing last in the poll with 11 points, the Mustangs garnered the lone remaining first place vote.