Trivia:
As it happens, my wife taught Flores’ wife when Molly (nee Collins) was a student at St. James Elementary in Davis. She was in our youngest son’s class there. Her parents farm is just in Solano County on I-80.

Meanwhile, across the Causeway at the Hive...

https://www.abridged.org/news/sacramento-state-cal-expo-field/

The WSOC program WAS on an ascending path until Tracy Joyner left, and gutted the roster AND recruiting class on her way out the door. This in addition to significant losses via graduation. The 6-8 players she took with her to Oregon have all contributed significantly,.either last year (seniors), this year, or both. After a rough 1st season, Oregon is off to a solid start this year, around that core of UCD transfers

Meanwhile, at Davis, Kat Mertz had to go with those returning players Joyner deemed not worthy of an invite to Oregon, as well as rebuild the 2025 recruiting class - very late - with whatever players were still available. For example, the Aggies had lost their entire back line and had no goalkeepers on the roster when Mertz was hired. The 2025 season results speak for themselves - 3-12-4 overall; 1-8-1 Big West. On the plus side, the Aggies played hard to the final whistle on a tough season.

This year, 8 of the 9 transfers she's brought in are consistently starting, as well as 1 of this year's freshmen. 3 other freshmen are getting significant time off the bench. Rebuilding, but I expect it's going to take another season or so to - hopefully - get back to where the Aggies were in Joyner's last season.

This preseason, Mertz is channeling Emma Hayes, looking at different starting and subbing combinations. All 3 keepers have started at least once. In the field, only 4 players have started every game, and the Aggies have played 21 of the 25 field players on the roster.

It's way too early to panic, or to debate whether Mertz is a longterm solution. I know after speaking to a few of the graduating seniors after Mertz was hired, that players were impressed with her. One of the graduates had attended ID camps that Mertz had hosted (while the player was in high school) and absolutely loved her approach. Wished she had remaining eligibility. So I'm optimistic, while remaining patient.

What drop-off? UCD was 0 - 6 - 4 in last year's, preseason. UCD plays an almost exclusively West Coast preseason. Lots of very good soccer teams on the West Coast...even the "weaker teams are only weaker relatively.

Also probably an emotional hangover from coming so close to beating Stanford.

UCD WSOC ties UCSB, 1 - 1. Much better showing as Mertz continues to channel Emma Hayes looking at different starting and subbing combinations. The last year's starter, Piper Wilkison started in goal for the 1st time this season, the 3ed keeper to do so. 1 new starter in the field - the 16th player to get a start, and 2 new subs. The Aggies have now played 24 of the 28 players on the roster.

After beating #10 Penn State earlier, I expect SMU to move up.

Just went down 12-15 in 5th set. Heck of an effort. Didn't blink, didn't back down. Lots to build on.

Currently at our cabin in MT - issues with internet at times. Especially with streaming. Just watch Live Stats. Anyway, don't want to jinx buy changing what we're doing. GO AGS!!

Aggies hanging with SMU! 2 sets apiece; going to a 5th set!

Not so much. I only think about Sac - as in "wonder how it's going" when I see others post about them on AST. And I'm rarely interested enough to respond. Otherwise, don't follow them, visit their sites, etc. If they don't have my attention more than that, I wouldn't call it successful.

My response was really about your comment that UCD had not room to talk, not so much about Sac.

I do agree with your comments about not wanting the program to fold, and it being a potential natural rivalry which could benefit both programs. I think the contrast would be greatly to our advantage.

RE: "We don't have much room to talk, becuase honestly if we played Eastern Michigan we lose to."

"We" haven't been talking that we're FBS ready...not the chancellor, the AD, head coach, or anyone on this board. Sac State - particularly the president and the former head coach - have been talking smack going on 2 years. If you talk the talk, but don't produce, getting called out is a reasonable consequence.

BTW, what's your CA Burrito recipe? I also think you should offer a chicken mole and a chile colorado burrito.

This preseason the Aggies will also play 3 other teams picked to win their conferences: San Diego (WCC); Cal Poly (Big West) and Arizona State (Big 12). Plus 3 other P4 opponents - Cal, Oregon and USC.

Getting any win on this road trip is a major accomplishment. At Colorado State - picked to win the Pac 12; at Northern Colorado - picked to win the Big Sky; playing #11 SMU on a neutral court. Tough opening 3 matches.

I would love to see that as well. On the men's side, Schaffer has built a solid program, but there seems to be a hump his teams haven't gotten over. He needs to win a few championships, rather than just getting close.

The women are further away now. The program was on an ascending path, until Tracy Joyner left, and gutted the roster on her way out the door. The 6-8 players she took with her to Oregon have all contributed significantly,.either last year (seniors), this year, or both. After a rough 1st season, Oregon is off to a solid start this year.

Meanwhile, at Davis, Mertz had to go with those players Joyner deemed not worthy of an invite to join her at OR, as well as rebuild the 2025 recruiting class - very late - with whatever players were still available. The 2025 season results speak for themselves. This year, 8 of the 9 transfers she's brought in are consistently starting, as well as one of this year's freshmen. 3 other freshmen getting significant time off the bench. Rebuilding, but it's going to take another season or so to - hopefully - get back to where the Aggies were in Joyner's last season.

Similar problems that plagued the Aggies the previous two games - being significantly out-shot (18-6), and a huge discrepancy in corners (11-0). Both show that opponents are dominating possession. It's a trend that occurred last season when UCD allowed opponents 40% more shots, and conceded almost twice as many corners...except that it's worse so far this season. Hopefully, that's due to the level of competition. The WCC is a tough soccer conference, and Santa Clara and St. Mary's are ranked near the top of the conference again this year. Tough opening slate.

Kat Mertz said in her post-game interview after the Fresno State game that preseason is about finding the best 11, and impact substitutes. Since 15 different players have started at least one game, and 14 different players have come off the bench, she does seem to be looking at several different combinations. Hopefully, experimenting now will lead to an improvement over last season's record.

Hopefully St. Mary’s is a strong WCC team. They beat Fresno 4-0, doubling our score. Realistically, it’s going to take a few years to rebuild after Joiner stripped the cupboard when she left for Oregon.

0-1 30 minutes in. Being outshot 6-1; 7 corners for Gaels 0 for Aggies. We’re not possessing the ball.

Glad you're spending your retirement the way you want. We summer (late May - mid September) at our cabin in MT on Flathead Lake, about an hour south of Glacier, and the rest of the year in Davis. Works well for us...get the best of both areas...and soon hope to be able to throw some shade on our MT friends & neighbors - all Griz or Wildcat fans (maniacs). LOL

Rota is on the SW coast, correct? N of Gibraltar? Our granddaughter, 7th grade at the time was in Salou (Near Barcelona) last Thanksgiving with a travel team for a soccer tournament. She really enjoyed the little she was able to experience - grueling game schedule. But she loved it, as your family seems to.

Glad you're still keeping in touch via AST - I'm looking forward to revisiting our debate over your CA Conference idea at some point. :>)

Keep us informed about your jazz bar. Our youngest is a jazz pianist in the Sacramento area - making a good living at it. Has played the evening entertainment at the Legends Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach. Did you ever visit Twin Lotus Thai in Sacramento before you moved? Started and owned by Joe Gilman, Sac State piano professor and his wife (she's Thai) as a music venue. In a strip mall on Folsom not to far from Hornet Hive. Has been very successful for local talent as well as touring artists.

Best wishes

Agree with your take. It's frustrating, because we all know it's something that Dobbins probably could've / should've been on top of. However, it's part of the growing up that takes place - hopefully - during college.

Hoping we get our grove going sooner this season. Starting 0 - 6 - 5 last season was a killer.