UC Santa Barbara Men's Soccer has been named the Big West preseason favorite, receiving four first-place votes from conference coaches. The Gauchos, who dominated the previous season by finishing undefeated in conference play, have three players鈥擟alle Mollerberg, Kaden Standish, and Donovan Sessoms鈥攔ecognized on the Preseason Coaches' Team. Mollerberg, who was a standout defender last season and led the team in minutes played, will captain the squad again in 2026. Following a strong performance, the Gauchos narrowly edged out defending champions UC Irvine for the top spot in the preseason poll. The team begins their quest for the title with a preseason match against LMU before kicking off the season against San Jose State.

By the Numbers
  • UC Santa Barbara received 34 total points in the preseason poll, with four first-place votes.
  • The Gauchos finished the 2025 season with a perfect 9-0 record in conference play.
State of Play
  • UC Santa Barbara will host one final preseason match on August 14 against LMU.
  • The 2026 season opener is set for August 21 against San Jose State at Harder Stadium.
What's Next

The Gauchos aim to build on last season's success and capitalize on strong individual performances from their preseason honorees. Anticipated matchups could further solidify their standing in the conference as they strive for the Big West title.

Bottom Line

With strong preseason recognition and a solid roster, UC Santa Barbara is positioned as a leading contender for the Big West Championship, making it crucial for them to sustain their momentum from the previous season.