Dixie State University soccer continued its impressive run under the direction of head coach Josh Pittman.
Following two consecutive two-win seasons, administration decided it was time for a coaching change; It has paid off.
After wins against Brigham Young University of Hawaii and University of Hawaii-Hilo, the Storm have won five straight games and are sitting atop the Pacific West Conference standings.
During their five-game winning streak, the Storm have not allowed a single goal, marking a school record for shutouts and the first time that a DSU men’s soccer team has begun the conference season 5-0.
Led by senior mid-fielder Santiago Alejandro, DSU has already matched its point total from all of last season. Santiago scored both of DSU’s goals in the win vs Hilo, extending his team-high point total to 11.
Although the offensive attack is much improved, the staple for DSU’s turnaround has been on the defensive side of the pitch.
Junior goalkeeper Bradley Trella hasn’t allowed a goal in over 500 minutes of play and notched a career-high nine saves in the 1-0 win against BYU-H. Trella currently leads the PacWest with his 0.43 goals against average(GAA). Junior defender Jason Arollo scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute.
“Our defense has been great,” Pittman said. “We are on a roll right now, and we’ll do our best to keep it going.”
The Storm will attempt to keep things rolling next week when they head to California to face Notre Dame de Namur Oct. 15 and Academy of Art Oct. 17.