LACEY, Wash. – Earning a fifth-place spot in the GNAC's coaches' preseason poll, the Saints look to young but talented team to lead them during the 2022 campaign.
 
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Simon Fraser once again was named the GNAC preseason favorite, earning five of the seven first place votes, and 47 total points. Western Washington (40 points), and Seattle Pacific (37), each earned one first place vote and placed second and third respectively. Northwest Nazarene (29) and Saint Martin's (17) made up the middle of the standings with Montana State Billings (15) and Western Oregon (11) rounded out the table.
 
The Saints return a young but talented core leading them this fall. Ethan Jud returns as the top goal scorer for SMU with two goals and one assist in 14 matches last season. David Settle, Diego Andrade, and Brian Licona will all provide experience on the pitch, along with a combined four goals.
 
In goal, the Saints will turn to Hunter Askland once again, with the junior going for 67 saves and four victories in last year's season. Bryce Porter will also return to provide more depth at the position, along with his 11 saves in three matches on 35 shots faced.
 
Along with the core, the Saints return key components in midfielders Caden Martin, Jay Mendoza, and Sean Selanikio. The three combined for nearly 2,700 minutes of action in the middle, along with two goals, one assist, and 23 shots.
 
Adding to the returners will be midfielders Charles Ganu, Paul Lopez, Elijah Gutierrez, Daniel Shooshan, and defenders Hakim Nizam, and Paarth Singh.
 
The Saints begin their season on Thursday, August 25 up in Canada, facing Cal State Los Angeles. The home opener is set for Sunday, August 28 against Hawaii Pacific at 1:00 PM.