YUMA, Ariz. – Following the program's third consecutive trip to the NJCAA DI Men's Soccer Championship, the Arizona Western Men's Soccer team will open the 2024 season ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA DI Men's Soccer Preseason poll as announced by the NJCAA on Monday afternoon.

The Matadors return 10 players from last year's team including goalkeeper Esteban Gonzalez who started 16 games for the Matadors last fall, making 54 saves and posting a 0.87 goals-against average. Joining Gonzalez is sophomore forwards Stephen Saladin, who played in 21 games, scoring seven goals and tallying six assists, and Karim Nlamu who also scored seven goals in 19 games last season.

Arizona Western sits behind Monroe, the defending national champion, and Tyler Junior College in the preseason poll.

The Matadors open the 2024 season on the road, taking on Fullerton College on Friday, August 23 in Walnut, Calif.