Republic FC, defending champs highlight UC Davis spring slate

A home game against defending national champions Stanford will cap off a challenging spring schedule for UC Davis that starts next week with a match against Sacramento Republic FC.

The Aggies open their spring exhibition season with a clash against Republic FC at Consumnes River Junior College at 3:30 p.m. on March 13 and also play Sacramento State, Saint Mary's, Division II Chico State and Santa Clara before hosting the Stanford on May 14 at 3 p.m.

Stanford won its first-ever national championship in Kansas City in December with a 4-0 win over Clemson in the College Cup final. Cardinal star Jordan Morris, who went on to win the MAC Hermann Trophy for most outstanding college player, scored a brace in the game that ended up being his last collegiate game when he signed a homegrown contract with Seattle Sounders FC. Granite Bay native Ty Thompson also played his final game with Stanford that day. He was drafted by San Jose Earthquakes, where his younger brother Tommy Thompson plays, in the MLS SuperDraft in January but has not been signed to a contract.

UC Davis also hosts local rival Sacramento State on April 2, at 4 p.m. and Saint Mary's at 10 a.m. on April 9. They'll travel to Chico State for a 5 p.m. game on April 9 and to Santa Clara for a 7:30 p.m. game on May 6.

The Aggies finished the 2015 season with an 8-10-3 record and a 3-4-3 mark in Big West play, advancing to the semifinals of the Big West Tournament.