In their inaugural season competing in the Pac-12 Conference, the UC Riverside Highlanders men’s soccer team celebrated significant individual accolades. Junior center midfielder Tarek Hamideh was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team, while freshman forward Ryan Guerra earned a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.
Hamideh, hailing from San Marcos, California, started all 16 matches during the 2026 season and led the Highlanders with six goals. Notably, four of those goals were game-winners, the highest tally among midfielders in the Pac-12. One of Hamideh’s key contributions came on October 31, when he scored the decisive goal in a 2-0 victory over Cal Poly, clinching the fourth seed for UC Riverside in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament.
Freshman forward Ryan Guerra, from Santa Paula, California, also made a substantial impact. He appeared in all 16 matches, starting 13, and recorded his first collegiate assist in a 2-0 win against Grand Canyon. His performances earned him recognition on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.
UC Riverside head coach Tim Cupello praised both players, highlighting Hamideh’s consistent improvement and clutch goal-scoring and Guerra’s enthusiasm and promising start to his collegiate career.
CSB Take
UC Riverside’s debut in the competitive Pac-12 Conference has been marked by impressive individual achievements, which are critical in establishing the program’s stature within the league. Tarek Hamideh’s leadership and decisive scoring, combined with Ryan Guerra’s early contribution as a freshman, signal a promising future for the Highlanders men’s soccer program. Their accolades serve not only as personal milestones but also as building blocks for the team’s continued growth and success at a high level of collegiate soccer.
Source: Original report
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