The Dixie State College men’s soccer team will face Notre Dame De Namur University next Friday after its losses last week.
By the time Red Storm play on Saturday, NDNU is expected to be ranked nationally.
“They are very technical, but we tend to match up with them fairly well,” said head coach Danny Ortiz. “They are a very quick, organized team.”
It has been an evenly matched game when DSC has played the Argonauts in years past.
Ortiz said NDNU is always a competitive game, and is a high-quality team.
The Red Storm have seen improvements and talent with the team since they played NDNU last year. Dixie is expected to stay successful coming into this game as well.
“I am expecting a great game,” said junior midfielder Josh Cook, a nursing major from Las Vegas. “I think we are ready for them. And they are great at handling the ball with two passes and I just expect that to happen again. But the thing is, we are a way better team this year and I think we are going to be able to counter it and be able to defend against it better than we did last year. “
Not only had DSC seen improvements from playing NDNU last year, but they have also seen improvements in its team overall.
“We can pass the ball a lot better than last year,” Cook said. “We connect it better. There is a lot more talent. Some of the new guys on the team have great talent and great skill and I am excited to play with them. ”
The Red Storm lost both games they played last Friday and Sunday. In the first game, Dixie only lost by one goal in overtime.
Dixie State was evenly matched against the teams and pushed for success.
“Overall, team effort on both ends of the field was really the key to the game,” Ortiz said.
DSC will work meticulously as it aims for victory this next week.
Ortiz said the team needs to stay consistent and continue playing hard.
“We need to not have any ups and downs,” Ortiz said. “If we come out with the same kind of effort the next weeks, we’ll be just fine.”
The Red Storm play in California on Saturday at noon against the Argonauts.
