MORAGA, Calif. – The 2022 fall season is officially underway for Saint Mary's Women's Soccer, with their first two regular season games on the horizon. The Gaels open up the season at home this Thursday against Cal Poly at 4 pm. Saint Mary's will also host UC Santa Barbara this Sunday at 1 pm.
 
THE DETAILS
Cal Poly Mustangs at Saint Mary's Gaels 
Thursday, August 18 at 4:00 pm
Saint Mary's Stadium – Moraga, Calif. 
Watch Live | Live Stats | Get Tickets
 
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Saint Mary's Gaels 
Sunday, August 21 at 1:00 pm
Saint Mary's Stadium – Moraga, Calif. 
Watch Live | Live Stats | Get Tickets 
 
LAST SEASON
The Gaels finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 10-4-4 and a 4-3-2 conference record. Their record was good enough for a sixth-place finish in the conference, the exact position the WCC Preseason Poll for this season has them in. 
 
For the second season in the row, the Gaels finished conference play with a 4-3-2 record. The Gaels believe they can compete with the best teams in the conference again, evident in games against Santa Clara and Pepperdine from last season. Saint Mary's held their own against both oppositions, holding then #3 ranked Pepperdine to a scoreless draw. SMC managed to take the defending national champions to the overtime, before the Broncos narrowly escaped with a win.
 
Suzuna Shibukawa was named All-WCC First Team after scoring eight goals in 16 games, making her the first Gael since 2014 to score more than eight goals in a season. Laura Trapero Sanz and Taylor Poland were keys players to the Gaels success last season as well. Poland posted a 76.9% save percentage over 17 games, and Trapero Sanz was a huge proponent to that success, recording nine clean sheets during the season. 
 
ABOUT CAL POLY 
Like the Gaels, the Mustangs start their 2022 season with two games in four days, as they take on the Gaels this Thursday, and the Iowa Hawkeyes at home on Sunday. The Mustangs posted a 13-8 overall record, and an 8-2 record in The Big West Conference. Forward Nikki Trucco aims to be a force in front of goal again this season after scoring 10 for the Mustangs last season. Trucco, as well as senior midfielder Camille Lafaix were both selected to the 11-player Big West Preseason All-Conference Team earlier this week.
 
Last season when these two teams met, the Gaels bested the Mustangs 2-1. The Gaels have a 6-4-2 record all-time against the Mustangs.
 
ABOUT UC SANTA BARBARA 
The Gauchos head into the 2022 season after posting an 8-9-3 overall record and 6-3-1 conference record last season. Similar to Saint Mary's, the Gauchos have been picked to finish sixth in The Big West Conference after finishing fourth last season. Although no Gauchos were picked in The Big West Preseason Coaches' Team, defenders Emma Vanderhyden and Douglas Shaye look to continue their goalscoring habits this season after scoring or assisting 13 times last season.
 
Saint Mary's and UC Santa Barbara haven't met since 2016 when the Gauchos handled the Gaels at home 1-0. The Gaels are 8-10-1 against UC Santa Barbara all-time.