#DixieMSOC Week 1 Game Notes

DIXIE STATE STORYLINES
Saturday start to 2014: Dixie State begins its seventh year of NCAA competition hosting the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday night. This will mark the first ever meeting between the Red Storm and CPP.

Preseason ranks and selections: Coming off a two-win season, Dixie State was selected to finish 12th in the PacWest Preseason coaches poll. Addidtionally, no Dixie State individual earned a spot on the league's All-Conference Preseason Team.

Broncos expected to contend: The CCAA is loaded with great men's soccer talent. Cal Poly Pomona took the fourth spot in the CCAA Preseason Coaches Poll behind defending champ Stanislaus, Dominguez Hills and Chico State. The Broncos have a veteran squad with 22 returners and only eight newcomers. They won their opener on Thursday 3-0 over Holy Names.

Senior leadership: Dixie State has five seniors on the roster including the leading returning goal scorer in Erik Shallenberger (Las Vegas, NV/Arbor View). He and Nadav Elimelech (Las Vegas, NV/Spring Valley) will move back to defense this year with fellow seniors David Stirland (Hurricane, UT/Hurricane) and Dominic Torres (Mountain Home, ID/Mountain Home). Spencer Anderson (Glendale, AZ/Mountain View) tends the net as the fifth returning senior.

Welcomed returns to the program: Two former players return after sabbaticals. Ethan VandenBosch (South Ogden, UT/Bonneville) is back for his sophomore campaign after serving a two-year LDS church mission. Also returning is sophomore Michael Ropelato (Roy, UT/Roy), who went to school last year at Weber State after playing his freshman year at DSU in 2012.

New forces on the Storm: DSU added depth with incoming freshman and key transfers. Frank Mellek from Yuma, Ariz. should see playing time with his quick speed and craftiness. Santiago Alejando transfers in from Otero Junion College where he had eight goals with four game-winners last year. Alex Galvan (San Antonio, TX/Reagan) joins DSU from San Anotnio, Texas.

Ortiz at the helm: Danny Ortiz (Las Vegas, NV/Cimarron) starts year seven as head coach. He is 34-61-9 in the last six years at Dixie State.