* Number in parenthesis denotes TopDrawerSoccer preseason college ranking. See complete rankings here.

UCSB Gauchos, Photos courtesy of:Tony Mastres

(10) UC Santa Barbara
Last season: 10-5-4, 5-2-3 in Big West
Result: Finished second in conference tourney, lost in NCAA round of 16 to California.
Head coach: Tim Vom Steeg
Key Returners: M David Walker (Sr.), M Martin Hedevag (Sr.), M Luis Silva (So.), M Danny Barrera (So.), D Michael Boxall (Jr.), M Michael Tetteh (So.).
Key Subtractions: F Chris Pontius, M Alfonso Motagalvan, F Nick Perera

2009 TEAM PREVIEW
The two-year chokehold on the Big West Conference championship came to an end for UC Santa Barbara last season, but coach Tim Vom Steeg and his group aren’t looking at that fact.

They’re looking beyond it.

“Winning the conference is certainly a goal of ours but we always have our sights set past the conference,” Vom Steeg assured. “In the sense that it helps us get a good seed in the NCAAs we focus on it, but I think we’ll be more concerned about how we finished the season against Cal (California(m)).”

With seven straight NCAA appearances and a 2006 national title to their credit, it only makes sense that the Gauchos would be looking to the highest of platforms.

There’s no reason to believe the current edition won’t follow in the footsteps of past great teams, especially considering how youthful last year’s group was. As Vom Steeg put it, “We’ve gone from really young to just young now.”

Sophomores like midfielders Luis Silva, Danny Barrera, and defenders Michael Boxall and Michael Tetteh earned notoriety a year ago and should blossom further.

The graduation of Chris Pontius leaves a scoring void that will be filled by a variety of guys – not a bad thing for Vom Steeg and staff.

Senior David Walker is a big-time player who will make a transition from striker to more of a midfield role this year.

Then there’s goalkeeping, the Achilles heel for a team that allowed too many goals in 2008.  

Sophomore Kristopher Minton played big minutes last season but the arrival of Yavapai College transfer Sam Hayden will add some competition to the spot.

“We’ll be better in the net this season regardless of who plays most,” Vom Steeg said. “There were too many times last year where we literally had to beat teams 3-2.”

Make no mistake about it, though, the Guachos still have the ability to win a shootout. The speedy play that’s become characteristic of their teams will again be present in 2009, a year the program again plans to achieve their grand expectations.