LOS ANGELES – Senior defender Erik Holt and senior midfielder Anderson Asiedu were both selected to the 12-man 2018 Preseason All-Pac-12 Team while the Bruins were tabbed to finish third by league coaches, it was announced Tuesday in the Pac-12 Preseason Release.
Holt, who was recently named to the MAC Hermann Award Watch List, is the anchor of UCLA's defensive corps and returns for his second season as team captain. In 2017, he recorded one goal and three points while contributing to four Bruin shutouts, eventually earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors.
Asiedu, who transferred to UCLA from Monmouth before the 2017 season, integrated into the team seamlessly a year ago, ranking third on the team in goals (two) and fourth in points (four) while providing solid play in the middle of the park. The Hoboken, N.J. native was selected to the All-Pac-12 Second Team and will be looked upon as one of the veteran members of UCLA's midfield group.
Holt, Asiedu, and the rest of the Bruins open their 2018 season on Tuesday night, hosting Grand Canyon for an exhibition match at 7:00 p.m. at Drake Stadium (admission is free). UCLA then hosts UC Irvine for another exhibition on Sunday in the team's first game at the newly-opened Wallis Annenberg Stadium before opening the regular season at Coastal Carolina on Aug. 24.
2018 Preseason Men's Soccer All-Pac-12 Team
Anderson Asiedu, Senior, Midfielder – UCLA
Amir Bashti, Senior, Midfielder/Forward – Stanford
Tanner Bearson, Redshirt junior, Defender – Stanford
Blake Bodily, Sophomore, Midfielder – Washington
Drake Callender, Junior, Goalkeeper – California
Kyle Coffee, Redshirt senior, Forward – Washington
Jared Gilbey, Junior, Midfielder – Stanford
Erik Holt, Senior, Defender – UCLA
Shinya Kadono, Senior, Midfielder – California
Quentin Pearson, Senior, Defender – Washington
Pablo Pelaez, Junior, Midfielder – San Diego State
Don Tchilao, Junior, Forward – Oregon State
2018 Preseason Men's Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Stanford (5) – 25
2. Washington – 19
3. UCLA (1) – 18
4. California – 14
5. Oregon State – 7
5. San Diego State – 7