It’s nearly time for the collegiate season to start for the local university programs. Here is a preview of what to expect before the first whistle.

University of California, Riverside (NCAA DI)

Schedule

Along with UCR’s schedule above, they have a notable fixture called the Crosstown Rivalry against CBU. This will be the eighth edition of the showdown, as last season both teams ended in a 0-0 draw. The last time UCR won the showdown was in 2019, with a 2-1 result in overtime. They do have the better overall record of 3-2-2.

Last Season

The highlanders finished the regular season with a 5-6-5 (3-2-4 conference) record and placed 7th in the Big West, one spot shy of the playoffs.

Coach

Coaching the highlanders since 2013, Tim Cupello enters his 12th year in charge of the program. Under his command, he guided the blue and yellow to two Big West titles in 2018 and 2022, as well as clinching the playoffs eight times during his tenure.

Opinion

The talented seniors, such as Noah Lopez and Luka Lukic, who achieved individual success with the USL 2 side Redlands FC, will move on from UCR, as well as others, to bring in a new batch of seniors to lead the Highlanders in 2025. Other Highlanders who played for RFC include Wyatt Ponting and Kevin Meza, who had relatively decent individual performances this past summer. Just as last season, I think Coach Tim will again treat the non-conference games lightly and focus hard on the conference games. I expect a mid-table or barely clinching playoff performance.  

Poll

I polled my Instagram followers, mainly coaches and former professionals, on postseason chances; here are the results.

Playoffs?	Votes	Percent
Yes	9	91%
No	1	9%

California Baptist University (NCAA DI)

As with UCR, CBU shares the crosstown rivalry. The most recent win was in 2022, when CBU beat the Highlanders 2-1. The Lancers’ record stands at 2-2-3 against their rival.

Along with the rivalry game, they have a big non-conference matchup against West Virginia, which is set up as a revenge game from last season. WV was ranked #1 in the country when the lancers hosted them and nearly pulled the upset. This time, WV will be ranked in the top 25, and CBU is looking for another chance at an upset.

The WAC conference change this season will not have UTRGV.

Last Season

The Lancers finished the season third in the WAC conference with a 6-8-5 record (4-4-1 in conference) and clinched a postseason spot. They fell in the semifinals 3-1 to Seattle U.

Coach

This will be coach Coe Michaelson’s 9th year in charge of the Lancers. Since 2022, CBU has made playoff appearances every year, including 2 WAC titles in 2022 and 2023.

Opinion

Things don’t seem to stop for CBU, as the program’s on-field performance is sharp and intense, while off the field, they have come a long way from NCAA DII. They have proven their worth in the WAC conference and overall in the IE, so that momentum will continue to rise. Their players are a mix of local and European talent that blends seamlessly into the American ping and run game. The combination of having high-intensity athletic players, along with his fast-paced game style, explains the high level of performance in recent years. I expect the Lancers to clinch the Playoffs Easily.  

Poll

Playoffs?	Votes	Percent
Yes	6	75%
No	2	25%

Other Notables

• CBU moves to the Big West Conference starting in 2026, bringing more meaning to the crosstown rivalry.

Cal State San Bernardino (NCAA DII)

Last Season

The Coyotes finished the 2024 season in 9th place in the CCAA with a 5-6-6 record (3-5-3 in conference). They missed the playoffs by 3 spots.

Coach

This will be Josh Hill’s 4th year in charge of the Coyotes. He led CSUSB to two playoff appearances in 2021 and 2023.

Opinion

Things have gone downhill for the Yotes, especially last season, when the players’ conditioning seemed to be slumping. Their game style is typically American ping and sprint, but when I watched them play, they were conservative in playing out the back, but spent too much time back there. Chances for attack were far and few when they were losing. It seems that towards the end of the season, when players are trying to fight to win back, they look tired and uninspired.

I think the players have the drive; they just need to be willing to take a risk to get back into the playoffs. If the motivation is there, then the Yotes could have a chance.

Survey

I have sent surveys asking about the coach’s thoughts on the upcoming season. Here is Coach Hill’s response

• What are your goal(s) for the season?
  • To Make The National NCAA Tournament
• What are some improvements that you want to implement from last season?
  • Not really implement, but progress on where we ended last fall. Our team is very young only 4 true seniors so just maturing on the field and capitalizing on opportunity. Having a healthy perspective on choices, decisions, and outcomes.
• What are some positives from last season that you want to continue?
  • We have a strong team DNA. We are hoping to keep being progressive and execute at a higher rate individually.
• Who is one team that you’ll pay extra attention to?
  • We try to worry about ourselves; but all the south teams are very strong – LA, DH, CPP

Poll

Playoffs?	Votes	Percent
Yes	9	82%
No	2	18%

University of Redlands (NCAA DIII)

Last Season

The bulldogs topped the SCIAC conference with an 11-3-4 (8-2-2 in conference) record. Placing first, they hosted 5th-seeded Chapman in the SCIAC semifinals, which ended in a dramatic penalty shootout loss.

Coach

One of the most successful head coaches in the program (and in the IE), Ralph Perez has led the Bulldogs since 2006, guiding the U of R to the playoffs in nearly every season and winning SCIAC titles more than six times. Coming into his 19th season, he announced last November that this season would be his last.

Opinon

Every year I see the bulldogs play, it is more of the coaches’ team than the players leading. No matter which batch Coach Perez has, his playing style and warm-ups don’t change because he has that winning formula. Playing the typical American style of athleticism and long balls, the difference between him and other schools that play the same way is his discipline in keeping his players focused on the plan and maintaining top-notch conditioning. I don’t expect anything less than success; another title victory, or a deep NCAA run is possible.

Assistant coach Cody Carlson has also been leading the local USL 2 side Redlands FC, who last season finished 5th out of 9 teams. With the announcement of Perez’s departure and his three seasons as the head coach of the RFC, it appears plausible that Cody may prepare to assume the position of head coach of the Bulldogs. This is my personal speculation, not an official announcement. If he does take Perez’s job, he has big shoes to fill.

Poll

Playoffs?	Vote	Percent
Yes	6	75%
No	2	25%

La Sierra University (NAIA)

Schedule

Notable differences from last season include the change in conference names from Cal Pac to GSAC, which retained some Cal Pac schools and added new ones. UC Merced, Westcliff, Simpson, Pacific Union, Providence Christian, and Cal Maritime left. Arizona Christian, Life Pacific, Ottawa University AZ, and The Master’s were added. LSU will now play two more opponents this season compared to last year.

Last season

The Eagles concluded the 2024 season with an 8-7-1 record (4-3 in conference), finishing fourth in the old Cal Pac standings and clinching a playoff spot. They surpassed Westcliff in the semifinals but fell to UC Merced 2-0 in the final.  

Coach

This will be coach Carlos Trevino’s 10th season in charge of the Eagles. He was also in charge of the women’s program, where he led them to a California Pacific Conference title in 2021. Now that his relative, David Trevino, will lead the ladies, Carlos will focus solely on the men’s team this season.

Opinon

With conference changes, LSU faces more Arizona/Southwest teams and fewer Northern California teams. I haven’t seen them play much, but LSU has usually finished midtable or just below playoffs. With the new structure, their standing could change significantly, depending on other teams’ performance.

Midfielder Elias Macias spent time with Temecula FC of NISA Nation, where TFC had a mid-table performance and finished as runners-up in the Raul Briones Cup in the summer.

Poll

Playoffs?	Votes	Percent
Yes	5	62%
No	3	38%

Other Notables

• US Soccer has formed a new committee to evaluate the future of NCAA soccer. Changes come as soon as next season, including the changes with the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness)