ST. GEORGE – A 63^rd minute goal from Hunter LeBlanc was the winner for Notre Dame de Namur and left Dixie State searching for an equalizer that never materialized in a 1-0 loss Thursday night at Hansen Stadium.
 
LeBlanc's goal broke a deadlocked match that featured 20 combined shots and the goalkeepers combining for eight saves.
 
It is the fifth one-goal loss of the season for the Red Storm (1-8-1, 1-5 PacWest) and the second consecutive defeat by a 1-0 score. NDNU has won five straight to improve to 7-4-1 overall and 5-1 in the PacWest.
 
"I thought the team played hard again tonight," head coach Danny Ortiz said. "Everyone who played tonight put in some great effort. I have to do a better job preparing the guys to finish their chances in the offensive end of the field."
 
The Storm had good looks early. Frank Mallek (Yuma, AZ/Kofa) earned a one-on-one against the NDNU keeper after blazing past a defender, but his shot sailed wide. Early in the second half, Michael Gray (Las Vegas, NV/Bishop Gorman) and Michael Ropelato (Roy, UT/Roy) each had chances within the penalty area.
 
The match-winner was scored after the Argos brought the ball into their offensive zone on the foot of Matt DeQuiroz. He cleared a pass from the left side to LeBlanc who curled away from his defender and shot a liner into the goal.
 
Dixie State was held without a shot after the NDNU tally behind solid midfield defense. Ropelato led all DSU players with three shots.
 
The Red Storm will look to rebound and grab three points Saturday afternoon hosting Holy Names at 4:30 p.m.