Dixie State University started play in the Pacific West Conference with two wins against Azusa Pacific University and Point Loma Nazarene University.
Junior forward Ather Dawood netted the first goal of the game for DSU in the 21st minute. Dawood received a pass from freshman forward Moises Medina and scored from 15 yards giving DSU the early advantage, 1-0.
The Trailblazers struck again in the 50th minute. Sophomore midfielder Gabby Medina outran a defender and passed the ball to freshman forward Christian Hall, who found the back of the net. The goal would proved to be all DSU needed to secure the win.
APU scored its first goal in the 54th minute, bringing the score at 2-1 with DSU in the lead.
“We started out strong and played our style of soccer,” said sophomore defender Dominic Damato, a criminal justice major from Las Vegas. “APU was a good team and coming away with a win at their field was definitely huge for our season.”
After the win against APU, the Trailblazers felt energetic and confident, Damato said, which he said lead them to another win against PLNU Saturday.
“We were going strong and had momentum and confidence in our play,” Medina said. “We got the results we wanted on the road with a great team effort.”
Hall scored the first and only goal just 37 seconds into the match giving DSU a 1-0 lead. The goal is the fastest goal scored in DSU men’s soccer history. The first goal allowed the team to sit back and play strong defense, which is what the team is known for, Damato said.
“The players are stepping up and that is making our team stronger,” Medina said. “The motivation is there, the talent is there, now we just want to maintain our focus and get the best results in every game.”
The next two games will be played in St. George. The first game will be played Tuesday against Holy Names University at 4:30 p.m., and the second one will be against Fresno Pacific University Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
