The Dixie State College women’s soccer team went 0-1-1 in the kick-off classic and is preparing for its next two games in Phoenix.
Forward Jennifer Mason, a sophomore business major from Springville, said the team has been working hard, specifically on communication and passing, to get ready for the upcoming games in Arizona. She also said the team is different than last year with the new players and talent.
“It’s a whole new team,” Mason said. “Half of us are new and we’ve never played together, so it’s a little bit harder, but I think it’s getting better.”
Midfielder Kelly Smith, a sophomore nursing major from Alpine, said the team has recruited 12 new players, and the team is still trying to adjust.
“We have a lot of new girls and we’re still trying to find the flow and chemistry, but it’s coming along real nicely,” Smith said.
The team started the Kickoff Classic against California State University Los Angeles and walked off the field with a tie at 2.
The game went into overtime after midfielder Kristen Page and Mason scored both goals in the early minutes of the second half. CSULA found the back of the net in the 62nd minute after scoring once before in the second half.
The Eagles outshot the Red Storm 6-3, but were unsuccessful with seven saves from goal keeper Abby Johnson.
The second game of the Kickoff Classic ended with a 2-1 loss for Dixie.
Sonoma State University sent 12 shots at DSC’s net, but Johnson could only save nine of them.
Dixie State went scoreless the whole game until 13 seconds left when sophomore forward Kelsey Hansen took a shot 12 yards out from an assist from freshman midfielder Megan Marchbanks.
The Red Storm head to Phoenix and face Montana State-Billings Sept. 6 at 6 p.m.
