Storm heads to Hawaii for league matches: The Dixie State men's soccer team travels to Hawaii for its longest road trip of the season. A four-match stretch begins Saturday, Oct. 4 at BYU-Hawaii and continues on Monday, Oct. 6 against a much-improved Chaminade club. Live stats courtesy of the host school are available on the main and men's soccer schedule pages on DixieAthletics.com.

Preseason and current rankings: Coming off a two-win season in 2013, Dixie State was selected to finish 12th in the PacWest Preseason coaches poll. In the same poll, BYU-Hawaii was selected in sixth and Chaminade was picked 13th. DSU and its two opponents this week are not ranked in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division II Men's National Poll.

Scouting the Seasiders, Silverswords: BYU-Hawaii has opened PacWest play 2-0 after a winless stretch of five matches to begin the season. In the Bay Area last weekend, the Seasiders topped Holy Names in overtime, 3-2, and took a 1-0 decision over Dominican. BYUH has six different players with one goal apiece. Chaminade has been a pleasant surprise under first year head coach Zach Kingsley. The Silverswords are 3-4 on the year, 2-1 in the PacWest after losing a tough double-overtime match to Fresno Pacific on Sept. 27. Sophomore forward Austin Bush leads Chaminade with three goals and two assists. 

One goal still not enough: The Storm has posted one goal in each of the last four matches. Dixie State has not been able to keep its opponents to one goal or less in the same stretch. Also unique is that four different goal scorer have accounted for the DSU scoring. Most recently, Bryan Baugh (Henderson, NV/Green Valley) knocked home a rebounded shot from Jorge Echavarria (Las Vegas, NV/Sierra Vista) against California Baptist. 

Looking ahead: DSU remains in Hawaii to complete their road trip against the Sharks of Hawaii Pacific and the Vulcans of UH Hilo. The Storm does not return home to Hansen Stadium until October 16 against Notre Dame de Namur.

Ortiz at the helm: Danny Ortiz (Las Vegas, NV/Cimarron) is in year seven as head coach. He is 34-65-10 in his tenure at Dixie State since the program's reinstatement in 2008. Ortiz also leads as Director of the Southern Utah Soccer Association and continues to work with Utah Youth Soccer Association on the State Coaching Education staff and as the Southern Utah Olympic Development Program Director.