SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Soccer Team is set to take the pitch for their first official match of 2025 this Thursday, August 14, against LMU. Back at the helm is Paul Stumpf, entering his 27th season.
 
RETURNERS
The Gauchos sport s 33-woman roster headed into the 2025 season, 24 of which return from a season ago. Now with championship and NCAA experience, the Gauchos are poised to make another run for The Big West crown.
 
"The fact we have the vast majority of starters coming back is a great start," said Stumpf. "We also had a really good spring. The players continued to grow in their soccer skill set and the tactics we are trying to utilize."
 
NEWCOMERS
The Gauchos welcome nine new faces to the team this season, three transfers and six freshmen. The transfers bring a lot of soccer experience with them, while the freshmen are continually improving and showing they can compete for a spot right away.
 
"I think the three transfers have transitioned well into what we are trying to do. They all bring playing experience, maturity and socially off the field. In addition to the soccer side, they have been really great for team chemistry and culture. Hayden Halscheid gives us a legit second option at the attack. The freshmen were a little nervous the first few days, but that is too be expected. They have all settled down quite a bit, still have some nervous moments, but for the most part, they are getting their legs under them. All of them are nice soccer players and we will get some significant minutes out of some of them.
 
THE ATTACK
Even after an offensive output that saw the Gauchos score the most goals since 2019, Head Coach Paul Stumpf expects more this season. The Gauchos have a handful of options up front that are great playmakers.
 
"We are hopeful for another big season out of Devin (Greer)," said Stumpf. "She has grown significantly since her freshman year. I am hoping she can match last year's goal output or get a few more. This season our system should free her up a little more, and I also think we added a little more depth in our cast of players around her. We have a rotation of about four strikers that are excellent in one-on-one matchups and we should get a few more looks at the net this year."
 
THE MIDFIELD
Despite losing a key piece in Calla Liu, the midfield will be very strong for the Gauchos. A mix of Samantha Christie, Sophia Moness and Dakota Watterson will look to fill that void. Depth will be a strength for this group as the Gauchos look to be, again, very strong in the middle of the field.
 
"Toward the end of last fall, Haley Phillips really established herself as the attacking-center mid. She will most likely start there. Of course you have Emma (Corcoran) at holding mid. A couple girls have stepped up and we also have a couple of girls that will be great substitions. Ava Dermott has grown a lot and we feel comfortable that she could give Emma a little bit of rest. She is a good ball winner, her decision making on the ball has been better and her ability to keep the ball for us has been good. Sophia Moness will rotate in with Haley and she is an excellent attacking mid. Dakota Watterson can also play that role. The one hole we need to fill is where Calla Liu played. We have a handful of players that can play there, Samantha Christie, Caitlyn Simons along with Moness and Watterson."
 
THE BACKLINE
With a healthy backline the Gauchos are poised for a strong campaign behind senior captain Kate Killer. After a breakout season last year, Sofie Rodriguez has improved even more. A few new faces in Reese Wroblewski and Hailey Tyacke who will see some valuable minutes throughout the season.
 
"Kate Killer is healthy and is an excellent player," stated Stumpf. "She is a senior and one of our captains. Sofie Rodriguez had a breakout campaign last year and has gotten even better during the offseason. Emily Caughey, who has started all but one game since her freshman season and is solid and steady. Reese Wroblewski and Hailey Tyacke have been very solid for us. They have both shown signs of maturity out there. We will continue to grow with our tactics, and I believe we have a chance to challenge for both the regular season and championship titles."
 
GOALKEEPERS
UC Santa Barbara's goalkeeper group enters the season deeper and more competitive than ever. Maddie Buckley holds the starting spot for now, while Kate Willmering's significant improvement has intensified the battle for minutes. Freshman Sydney Flanagan has emerged as a fearless, athletic presence, giving the Gauchos a strong three-keeper rotation.
 
"You will see more of the same in the cage this season. Maddie (Buckley) is our starter at the moment," explained Stumpf. "Kate Willmering has improved significantly. The two have slightly different strengths, but the competition for that position has been stronger than ever before. Freshman Sydney Flanagan has been a very pleasant surprise. She is long, athletic and also fearless in how we want her to play. Moving forward, I see a legitimate three goalkeeper rotation for us, which is a good problem to have."
 
THE MOTTO
The Gauchos are embracing a "We Over Me" mentality headed into the 2025 season. Building off last year's strong team chemistry and culture, the team is committed to putting collective goals ahead of their own.
 
"We have two themes we have keyed in on for this season, and they are different, but I think ultimately mean the same thing," said Stumpf. "One that resonated with me is We over Me. I think if our players put the needs of the team above their own, we will have another great season. One of our strengths last year was our chemistry and culture not just on the field but also off of it and I hope it remains the same as we start this season. One of the things the players came up with was Play For Each Other. You could take out the word play and put compete or work and the mentality they bring, I love that."
 
FOLLOW ALONG
The Gauchos are set to open their 2025 campaign on Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. UC Santa Barbara welcomes Loyola Marymount to Harder Stadium for the third consecutive season. For those unable to attend the match will be streamed through ESPN+ with live stats available.