News Summary
The Mountain West Conference has released its preseason poll, placing San Diego State University (SDSU) soccer team in fourth place for the upcoming season. This marks only the second time in 16 years that SDSU is projected to finish outside the top two. The Aztecs aim to repeat past successes, as they have previously captured a share of the regular season title after similar predictions. The football team also garners attention with Trey White named on the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, highlighting the talents within SDSU athletics as they gear up for the new season.
San Diego – The Mountain West Conference has announced its preseason poll for the upcoming soccer season, with San Diego State University (SDSU) soccer team being predicted to finish in fourth place. This marks a notable moment for the Aztecs, as it is only the second time in the last 16 years they have been forecasted to finish outside the top two. In the 2019 season, SDSU was also predicted to finish fourth and went on to capture a share of the regular season title with an impressive 8-2-0 conference record.
The top four teams in this year’s rankings—Utah State, Boise State, Colorado State, and San Diego State—are the same teams that reached the semifinals of the 2024 Mountain West Tournament. Utah State led the preseason voting with 128 points, gathering six first-place votes. Boise State followed closely behind with 121 points, including three first-place votes. Colorado State received 111 points along with one first-place vote, while San Diego State earned 109 points, also with one first-place vote. Newly added Grand Canyon is positioned fifth in the ranking with 93 points, while UNLV is sixth with 87 points, and New Mexico is seventh, having earned 80 points and two first-place votes. The remaining teams completed the ranking with Wyoming at 59 points, Nevada at 55 points, Colorado College at 54 points, Fresno State at 50 points, Air Force at 44 points, and San Jose State at 23 points.
SDSU will feature prominently with three of its players named to the Mountain West Preseason Watch List: seniors Grace Goins and juniors Alexys Ocampo and Katie Senn. Goins stands out as the leading returning scorer for the Aztecs, having netted four goals in the previous season. Both Ocampo and Senn had their last season impacted by injuries; Ocampo only participated in the first four matches, while Senn played in 19 matches and contributed two assists.
The Aztecs are set to kick off their season tonight against San Diego in an exhibition match at the SDSU Sports Deck, beginning at 7 p.m. Following that, the regular season will commence on Thursday, August 14, with a home game against Texas Tech at the SDSU Sports Deck. Admission to these games is free, and the Texas Tech match will be available for streaming on the Mountain West Network.
Trey White Joins Notable Award Watch Lists
In addition to the soccer updates, San Diego State football player Trey White has been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List. This award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club and the Football Writers Association of America, recognizes the most outstanding defensive player in college football. White joins a select group of 90 players, including 16 defensive ends/edges.
White had an impressive 2024 season, being recognized as a first-team All-Mountain West player while recording 60 tackles, including 40 solo tackles. He led the conference with 18.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. His performance also earned him the distinction of being the first San Diego State defensive lineman to receive the MW preseason defensive player of the year title and only the fourth overall defensive player in the conference’s history to be honored in this way.
His accolades extend further, as he has also been recognized as a preseason third-team All-American by Athlon Sports and received multiple first-team All-MW honors from various news outlets. The Chuck Bednarik Award has been awarded since 1995 and celebrates the legacy of Hall of Fame player Chuck Bednarik, who was known for his dual offensive and defensive capabilities.
Future updates on this award will include the announcement of semifinalists on November 11, finalists on November 25, and the award winner during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 11.
Fan Fest and Upcoming Season
The excitement for the upcoming season is further amplified by the San Diego State football team’s annual Fan Fest, scheduled for August 14 at Snapdragon Stadium. The event promises free admission, with parking available for a nominal fee of $10. With the fan engagement and team preparation ramping up, both SDSU soccer and football enthusiasts have a thrilling season ahead.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
SDSU Football Season Opener Against Stony Brook
San Diego State University Recognized as Top College
Aztec Soccer Teams Set to Return to Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego State Women’s Soccer Set to Face Nevada
San Diego State Women’s Soccer Announces 2025 Schedule
Changes to Anaheim Union High School District Programs
San Diego State Women’s Soccer Unveils Non-Conference Schedule
SDSU Women’s Soccer Program Announces Coaching Changes
San Diego State University Joins Pac-12 Conference
Additional Resources
- Trey White Named to Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
- San Diego State Defensive Star Earns Another Accolade
- Five MW Football Players Named to Bednarik Award Watch List
- 2025 San Diego State Football Predictions
- Women’s Soccer Picked Fourth in Mountain West
- Wikipedia: San Diego State Aztecs
- Google Search: San Diego State University soccer
- Google Scholar: Chuck Bednarik Award
- Encyclopedia Britannica: college football
- Google News: San Diego State football
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
