UCSB will have a certain savoir-faire on its men’s soccer team this season.
The Gauchos added a second French player to their roster on Monday with the transfer of midfielder Goffin Boyoko. He joins compatriot Achille Campion on a squad that is rebuilding its offense.
“He adds the one component that Luis Silva gave us last year, and that is the ability to give the ball to our attackers as well as score himself,” said UCSB coach Tim Vom Steeg of Boyoko.
Boyoko transfers to UCSB from Auburn-Montgomery, where he earned first-team NAIA All-American honors. He scored 17 goals in 19 matches as a sophomore, including eight game-winners, and dished off five assists. As a freshman, he had five goals and four assists in 12 appearances.
A native of Paris, France, Boyoko competed for the French Under-16 National Team.
“He has played at a very high level and that maturity and experience is very important after the loss of several players,” Vom Steeg said. “His soccer background will be a very important intangible in the locker room and in big games.”
Campion is also a transfer from a NAIA school. The forward played at Belhaven, Miss., where he scored 17 goals as a sophomore last season.
The Gauchos are looking to rebuild the scoring punch provided by Luis Silva and Sam Garza, who are now playing in the MLS.
Boyoko and Campion will make their UCSB debuts on Aug. 18 when the Gauchos host Westmont in a season-opening exhibition game.
