Azusa Pacific men's soccer had four players named All-PacWest after the conclusion of the 2023 season. Fritz Oestreicher and Mario Shuteriqi were named Second Team performers, while Gabriel Oropeza and Juancarlos Rodriguez earned Third Team honors.
For the third year in a row, Oestreicher earned another All-PacWest honor, landing on the Second Team. Oestreicher was a key asset to the Cougars at center back, playing and starting in 16 games and leading the team in minutes played at 1,337. His work organizing the back line helped Azusa Pacific produce seven clean sheets this season.
In his true freshman season, Shuteriqi landed on the Second Team after being a key part of the Cougars attack. Shuteriqi led the team with six goals and added three assists on the season, with four of those goals coming in a two-game stretch against Fresno Pacific and Chaminade, helping start a season-best three-game winning streak in late October. Three of the forward's goals were game-winners, tied for the most in the conference.
Gabriel Oropeza joined the Cougar team in the offseason and made an immediate impact, earning a spot on the Third Team. The junior forward led the squad in shot attempts with 44 and shots on goal with 17 while playing all 17 games, starting 15. He placed second on the team with five goals and heated up down the stretch, scoring in four consecutive games in late October and early November, three of which the Cougars won.
In his senior season, Juancarlos Rodriguez earned his first All-PacWest honor, claiming a spot on the Third Team with his dependable play on the backline as a wingback. The senior started in 16 games this season and played in all 17, providing 1,260 minutes of play. He was able to jump into the attack at times as well, providing two goals and three assists, including a four-point effort against Chaminade.
While Rodriguez will graduate this year, Ostreicher, Shuteriqi, and Oropeza are all expected to return in 2024 to lead the Cougar program as they look to build off a six-win season that saw them finish with a winning record in PacWest play (5-4-1).
