ST LOUIS – University of Evansville junior Nacho Diaz Barragan (Almeria, Spain/University of Almeria) has earned Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Preseason honors ahead of the 2023 campaign. 

The 2022 MVC Freshman of the Year, who led the Purple Aces in goals (9) and points (21), was one of 12 players selected to the preseason team. Diaz Barragan was Evansville's only representative on the MVC Preseason All-Conference Team.
Missouri State was picked to repeat as league champions by Valley Head Coaches with six first place votes. The Purple Aces were picked to finish fourth among nine teams in the preseason poll with 50 points. 

Evansville returns almost all of its goal scoring from the team's 8-5-6 (3-2-3 MVC) 2022 campaign. The Aces made the championship game of the MVC Tournament for the second season in a row to end their 2022 season.

The Purple Aces enter a new era of men's soccer as Robbe Tarver takes over the reigns as interim head coach. Tarver spent three seasons as an Assistant Coach and an Associate Head Coach for Evansville under former Head Coach Marshall Ray. Tarver was named to the interim position after Ray announced he was stepping away from collegiate soccer coaching in March.

UE opens the regular season next week on Aug. 24 against the ASUN Bellarmine Knights. Evansville faced Bellarmine in the 2022 season resulting in a 2-2 draw following some late match drama. Season tickets are still available for the Aces nine-game home slate for just $45 and can be purchased here.