Spartans Picked as Co-Preseason Favorites, Flores-Thomas, Axelson, Fernandez Named to MW Watch ListSpartans Picked as Co-Preseason Favorites, Flores-Thomas, Axelson, Fernandez Named to MW Watch List

Spartans Picked as Co-Preseason Favorites, Flores-Thomas, Axelson, Fernandez Named to MW Watch List

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LAS VEGAS - The San José State Spartans were picked as co-favorites in the Mountain West preseason coaches’ poll and Ruben Flores-Thomas, Ronin Axelson and Angel Fernandez were named to the Mountain West Watch List the conference announced on Wednesday afternoon. 

Every Spartan home game and road conference game will be streamed live on MW+. Additionally, tickets for each home game can be purchased here.

In the preseason coaches poll, the Spartans tied with Grand Canyon as preseason favorites and received two first place votes. Below is the full results of the coaches’ poll:

Pl.        Team (1st place votes)             Points

  1.     San José State (2)                           22
  2.     Grand Canyon (4)                            22
  3.     UC Davis                                           15
  4.     UNLV                                                 14
  5.     Air Force                                            10
  6.     Utah Tech                                           7

This season marks the Spartans’ first season in the Mountain West after previously being a part of the WAC. Last season, the Spartans finished with a record of 12-4-4, earning 12 wins in a season for the first time since 2003. The Spartans returned to the WAC Championship game for the third time in the last four seasons and had four players named First Team All-Far West Region.

The Spartans will open the 2026 season on August 21 at Santa Barbara. SJSU’s home opener will take place on August 30 against Saint Mary’s at the Spartan Soccer Complex.

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Ronin Axelson, Goalkeeper, Redshirt Senior, Fairfax, Calif., Archie Williams HS

  • Joined the Spartans in 2022-23
  • Has a career record of 3-3-3 to go along with 24 saves and three shutouts
  • Saw action in three games last season, making two starts and collecting four saves
  • Made six starts for the Spartans in 2024, including in all three WAC tournament matches

Angel Fernandez, Midfielder, Senior, Hayward, Calif., Castro Valley HS

  • Joined the Spartans in 2023, playing in 52 games and making 36 starts
  • Has three goals and six assists in his Spartan career
  • Started 18 out of 19 games played last season, collecting a goal and three assists
  • Scored the game-winning goal in the Spartans’ season opener against Cal Poly in 2025 (8/21)

Ruben Flores-Thomas, Defender, Senior, Chico, Calif., Chico Senior HS

  • Joined the Spartans in 2023
  • Appeared in 45 games, making 42 starts for the Spartans
  • Has one goal and four assists in his career
  • Started in all 20 appearances last season
  • Named WAC Defensive Player of the Week after recording a goal and an assist in the Spartans’ 2-0 shutout win against CSU Bakersfield (8/29/25)
  • Helped the Spartans record eight shutouts last season

#AllSpartans