Finding Inspiration in Every Save

Matias Fernandez is a collegiate goalkeeping coach and longtime developer of elite goalkeepers, currently serving on the coaching staff of UC Santa Barbara Men's Soccer. He joined the program in the summer of 2024, bringing over a decade of experience developing goalkeepers at the collegiate, professional, and youth levels.

In his first season with the Gauchos, Fernandez made an immediate impact, helping senior goalkeeper David Mitzner deliver a record-setting campaign. Mitzner played every minute of the 2024 season, recording 59 saves, seven shutouts, and a 1.08 goals-against average—finishing his career tied for eighth-best in program history. His performances earned him All-Big West Honorable Mention honors.

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Fernandez continued that success in 2025, guiding freshman standout Owen Beninga to a historic season. Beninga set a new single-season program record with a 0.52 goals-against average while recording seven clean sheets in just 12 matches. Alongside contributions from fellow goalkeeper Luke Skinner, the unit helped the Gauchos achieve nine total shutouts and a 13-match unbeaten run—one of the best stretches in program history—culminating in a Big West Regular Season Championship. Beninga earned All-Big West Second Team and All-Freshman Team recognition.

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Before arriving in Santa Barbara, Fernandez spent over a decade shaping goalkeepers in California’s Central Valley. A graduate of Fresno Pacific University, he played a key role in the program’s 2019 PacWest Championship run, posting a school-record goals-against average. He later contributed to record-breaking seasons for both the men’s and women’s programs in 2022.

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Fernandez also gained valuable collegiate experience working with Fresno State Women's Soccer, helping guide the team to a postseason appearance. At the youth level, he played and coached within the Central Valley Fuego FC academy, where he contributed to a standout inaugural campaign that included a top-five finish at the USL Academy Cup and a league title. Several academy goalkeepers under his guidance went on to earn collegiate opportunities.

As a player, Fernandez competed professionally with clubs such as the Fresno Foxes and Valley FC, gaining over seven years of experience at the professional level.

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In 2013, Fernandez founded MSF Goalkeeping Academy, where his coaching philosophy and commitment to development began taking shape. Since then, he has dedicated his career to mentoring goalkeepers of all levels—combining technical expertise, game understanding, and a passion for helping athletes reach their full potential.