AZUSA, Calif. - Four Cougars were selected to the 2025 PacWest Men's Soccer Preseason Watch Team. Second Team All-PacWest honoree Luis Solis, Third Team All-PacWest selection Andrew Gomez, returning starter Mario Shuteriqi, and El Camino College standout Ty Kerns all earned a preseason selection.

In the 2024 campaign, Solis tallied 4 goals and dished out 2 assists, while Gomez led the squad in goals (7) and had 1 assist. Shuteriqi found the back of the net twice as a center midfielder. In his last year at El Camino College, Kerns earned All-South Coast Conference South First Team honors while tallying 2 goals and 7 assists.

Other key returners to the squad include returning starters Raul Lavado, Timo Wurtemberger, Kaleb Abara, Kayro Valdez, and goalkeeper Alexis Rodriguez.

After coming off a 5-9-2 2024 season (4-5-2 in conference play) the Cougars were selected to finish 10th in the PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll. 

Head Coach Dave Blomquist enters his 16th season at the helm of the Cougars, carrying an overall record of 168-83-24. He looks to replace All-Conference honorees Fritz Oestreicher and Gabriel Oropeza, who graduated in the spring. Blomquist brings in a talented group of transfers expected to make an immediate impact: two Division I additions in Sohei Matsumori (Xavier) and Nassim Nouajaa (UAlbany), a Division II transfer in Aidan Drought (Seattle Pacific), along with JUCO standouts Steven Alvarenga and Kerns from El Camino College.

Point Loma claimed the top spot in the coaches poll, securing 10 first-place votes following its 2024 regular season title run. Hawai'i Hilo and Westmont share second place in the rankings, each coming off appearances in the PacWest Soccer Championships, where Westmont captured the tournament crown.

The Cougars kick off their season on the road against Colorado School of Mines on September 4. Kickoff in Golden, Colorado is scheduled for 6:00 PM PST (7:00 PM MT).