LONG BEACH, Calif. – Fresno Pacific was picked to finish sixth this season in the 2025 PacWest Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll on Tuesday afternoon. The Sunbirds have a full season ahead to break away from the middle of the pack - a feat that isn't impossible for the Sunbirds, who disrupted the 2024 PacWest playoffs and made a comeback worth rooting for.
The men's soccer team collected 101 points in total, including one first place vote, which was four points behind Vanguard (105) in fifth. Point Loma is projected to lead the conference a third time with an impressive 164 points and ten first place votes. Hawaii-Hilo and Westmont tied for second with 140 points apiece, with the Vulcans collecting a first place vote as well. Menlo claimed the fourth spot (132).
Head Coach
Cameron Shahrokhi approaches his second season with several key returners in his arsenal. Co-captain and First Team All-PacWest selection
Lucas Ribeiro looks to once again pace the Sunbirds' offensive attack. The São Paulo, Brazil sharpshooter led all scorers in the conference last year with 13 goals, while also adding four assists. Co-captain
Julian Aran Martin, who played a key role in FPU's defensive line at the PacWest Championship Semifinals, was a Third Team All-PacWest selection.
Some familiar faces returning for the 'Birds include goalkeeper
Elmer Carballo, defender
Sean Williamson, forward
Chris Macias, midfielder
Ernesto Aguilera, and twin brothers
Bryan Lopez and
Brandon Lopez. Fresno Pacific can count on its returners, along with nine new freshmen and numerous transfers to gear up for the challenges ahead. Among those newcomers with experience include
Tariq Alabi (Jessup),
Zion Vaughn (University of the Pacific),
Jacob Ramirez (Stanislaus State), and Christian Trujillo (Eastern Oregon). New striker
Chris Meza, who scored eight and assisted on 11 last season for Fresno City College, will lead the line up top for the 'Sunbirds.
Regular season play kicks off in SoCal against Cal State LA on Thursday, September 4 at 4:30 pm. The Sunbirds' home opener will be Saturday, September 13 against Cal State East Bay, with kickoff slated for 7:00pm from Ramirez Field.
CLICK HERE for the full 2025 PacWest Preseason Poll for Men's Soccer.
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