A New Era Begins
The University of California, Davis men’s soccer team is set to begin its first season as a member of the Mountain West Conference, opening the campaign with two road matches against the University of the Pacific and the nation’s top‑ranked Stanford Cardinals.
Head coach Dwayne Shaffer, who is entering his thirtieth year at the helm, brings a wealth of experience with 269 career NCAA victories that place him seventeenth among active Division I men’s soccer coaches.
The Aggies’ 28‑player roster blends sixteen returning veterans with twelve newcomers, creating a mix that includes standout performers such as Diego Orosco, Luke Castagnola and midfielder Rafael Matiello, as well as fresh talent like Nicco Garzino, Isaac Chacing and central defenders Michael Bulloch, Victor Ogieriakhi and Jake Hobbs.
Early matches have already produced moments of excitement, including Orosco’s debut goal in the 82nd minute and a comeback effort against Cal Poly that saw Luke Castagnola and Nico Collins restore parity after a two‑goal halftime deficit, while goalkeeper Talin Morgan logged the full 90 minutes in both contests.
The program’s recent history adds context, with Big West Tournament championships in 2019 and 2024 that secured the Aggies’ most recent NCAA Tournament appearances, a milestone that fuels ambition as they face powerhouses such as Stanford and Washington, the latter having held the Aggies to a 1‑1 draw the previous season.
Beyond the current squad, alumni achievements continue to raise the program’s profile, exemplified by former player Max Arfsten earning a spot on the United States roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Zack Lillington becoming the highest‑drafted MLS selection in school history after being chosen seventh overall by St. Louis CITY SC.
The Aggies will host Air Force on September 30 for their first conference match in program history, and the inaugural Mountain West Men’s Soccer Championship is scheduled for November 8‑14, setting the stage for a potential NCAA Tournament run that begins on November 19.