SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay men's soccer kicks off its 2026 campaign on Thursday afternoon, hosting Dominican University at Cardinale Stadium for a 5 p.m. season opener.
 
Thursday's matchup launches a 17-match regular-season slate for CSUMB and marks the first of eight home contests at Cardinale Stadium—one of the premier collegiate venues in the sport.
 
The Otters return a strong core, including several starting defenders, the team's leading returning scorers from the last two seasons, and two goalkeepers with significant experience in net.
 
"The staff is really excited about the upcoming season," CSUMB head coach Graeme Jaap said. "We have a really good senior class returning, with nine seniors leading the squad. Getting Jerry, Damon and Mason back from season-ending injuries last fall will really help the group. The guys put in the work this past spring and throughout preseason, and they have a point to prove in the CCAA."
 
Thirteen players from last season are back on the 2026 roster: Jerry Godfryd, Jacob Aiona, Angad Bains, Damon Smith, Jacob Burnison, Olof Larsson, Sylas Sells, Philip Wolny, Mason Ward, Aziah Nelson, Jack Dawson, Alvaro Oseguera Meza, and Cam Fisk.
 
Senior midfielder Sylas Sells headlines the returning offensive group after emerging as one of CSUMB's top attacking threats in 2025. Sells started all 14 matches he played, finishing tied for second on the team with four goals and adding an assist for nine points. He led the Otters with 30 shots and 16 shots on goal.
 
Philip Wolny also returns after making an immediate impact in his first season. Wolny appeared in 12 matches with seven starts, contributing one goal and three assists for five points. He ranked third on the team with 22 shots and put six on target. Entering his sophomore year, Wolny is among several young players poised for an expanded role in the CSUMB attack.
 
Sophomore Olof Larsson gained valuable experience in the midfield, appearing in 14 matches and earning six starts. He recorded an assist and took 11 shots, five of which were on goal. Aziah Nelson also returns after appearing in 12 matches with two starts as a freshman.
 
Veteran Mason Ward returns for a fifth season after being limited to two appearances in 2025. A D2CCA All-West Region pick in 2024, Ward tallied 21 points on seven goals and seven assists, starting all 18 matches that season.
 
The Otters bring back considerable defensive experience, led by senior Jacob Burnison, who started all 15 matches and logged a team-high 1,314 minutes. He also contributed an assist and anchored the back line with steady play.
 
Senior Damon Smith adds more experience to the defense after starting all 10 matches he played, logging 814 minutes and recording two assists. Fifth-year Cam Fisk also returns after playing in all 15 matches and making 11 starts in 2025.
 
CSUMB brings back two goalkeepers who combined to start 11 of the team's 15 matches last season. Jerry Godfryd returns for his fifth year after posting the best goals-against average among the Otters' keepers in 2025. He started six matches, finished 3-1-2, and allowed nine goals in 540 minutes for a 1.50 GAA, making 20 saves and recording one shutout.
 
Sophomore Jacob Aiona also gained extensive experience as a freshman, appearing in six matches with five starts, posting 28 saves and a .718 save percentage. He finished with a 2.12 goals-against average and notched one shutout.
 
With a cohesive defensive unit and a mix of returning veterans and emerging talent—including Ward and Sells—the Otters enter 2026 with an experienced core to build around as they prepare for the new season.
 
2026 CSUMB HOME SCHEDULE

Date	Opponent	Time
Aug. 27	Dominican	5 p.m.
Sept. 3	Jessup	2 p.m.
Sept. 20	Cal State LA*	2 p.m.
Oct. 3	Cal State Dominguez Hills*	4 p.m.
Oct. 11	Chico State*	11 a.m.
Oct. 15	Fresno Pacific*	4 p.m.
Oct. 22	Cal Poly Humboldt*	7 p.m.
Oct. 25	Cal State East Bay*	2 p.m.

*CCAA match
All CSUMB home matches will be played at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside.