DENVER – No. 22 Seattle University men’s soccer has been voted the favorite to win the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2018, according to the preseason poll released Wednesday. Seniors Nathan Aune and Sergio Rivas were named Preseason Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year, respectively.
The Redhawks, who won the 2017 WAC Tournament, claimed nine first-place votes and 119 points in the coaches’ poll. UNLV took second, edging out Air Force. The Falcons picked up the other three first-place nods from league coaches.
San Jose State, Utah Valley, and Grand Canyon followed in fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. CSU Bakersfield, UTRGV, Kansas City, and California Baptist rounded out the top 10. Houston Baptist and Incarnate Word took the final two slots in the rankings.
This marks the fourth time in the last five seasons that SU has been voted the preseason favorite in the WAC. It is also the fourth consecutive year that a Redhawk has taken Preseason Defensive Player of the Year (Kyle Bjornethun in 2015 and 2016, Aune in 2017 and 2018).
“It’s a nice compliment from the other coaches,” said Seattle U Coach Pete Fewing. “We know that we have to go play the games now. There’s not an easy game in the WAC.”
Aune was chosen WAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. The Arlington, Washington, native won 2017 WAC Defensive Player of the Year after a terrific junior campaign. Aune went on to be selected United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American.
“He’s gotten experience throughout his career,” said Fewing. “As a captain, his job to keep everyone on task and make sure the team is staying focused every game.”
Rivas earned recognition as the conference’s top offensive player after a 22-point junior season. The native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, put up eight goals and six assists to pace the stellar SU attack in 2017. He was Preseason All-WAC and All-WAC First Team last year.
“Sergio has the ability to dictate play,” said Fewing. “When he’s at his best, it’s a joy to watch.”
Aune and Rivas were joined on the Preseason All-WAC Team by fellow seniors Josh Adachi and Anthony Ayala. Adachi played every minute in net for the Redhawks’ 23 matches last year. He tallied a 0.91 goals against average, a .645 save percentage, and 10 shutouts. He was at his best in the WAC Tournament, winning tournament MVP honors. Ayala was a key factor on Seattle U’s backline, starting all 23 games and grabbing All-WAC Second Team recognition.
“Josh got better as last season went on,” said Fewing. “He has good command, good feet and he’s good in the air. Anthony is the unsung hero of the team. Everyone on the team would say ‘He’s the best one-on-one defender on the team’.”
Fewing, entering his 25th season at SU, will look for his third WAC regular-season crown and fourth WAC Tournament title in 2018. The Redhawks are one of five Division I programs to win at least 11 games in each of the last five years.
Seattle U hosts Portland in its second and final exhibition on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Championship Field. Admission is free to the public.