Sophomore midfielder Gabby Medina (Mesquite, Nev./Virgin Valley HS) netted a pair second half goals to help lead Dixie State to a 3-1 non-conference victory over Northwest Nazarene in the Trailblazers' home opener Saturday night at Legend Solar Stadium.

Dixie State (2-3-0) led 1-0 at the half on the strength of a powerful 35-yard blast off the boot of junior forward Ather Dawood (Tucson, Ariz.) early in the 32^nd-minute of play. The Crusaders (3-2-1) drew even just over three minutes into the second period as DSU was called for a foul inside the penalty area. NNU forward Fernando Alvarez buried the penalty kick to draw his team even at 1-1.

The Trailblazers took advantage of an NNU foul 10 minutes later to reclaim the lead at 2-1. Sophomore Dominic Damato (Las Vegas, Nev./Shadow Ridge HS) played a free kick deep into the Crusader penalty box, where freshman Moises Medina (Mesquite, Nev./Virgin Valley HS) one-touched the ball to his older brother Gabby, who tucked in the header from point-blank range to give DSU a one-goal advantage.

DSU's defense then stepped up and turned away several NNU scoring opportunities, but again the Crusaders were awarded a penalty kick chance as DSU was called for a hand-ball foul inside the penalty area with 8:54 remaining in regulation. NNU midfieder Rene Duevel stepped up and fired a ball that bounded wide-right of the target, which kept DSU's lead intact.

Dixie State struck quickly after the miss as the Trailblazers scored an insurance just 12 seconds after the PK miss to extend the lead to 3-1. Junior Alexiz Beiza (Salt Lake City, Utah/West Jordan HS) played a through ball to a streaking Gabby Medina (Mesquite, Nev./Virgin Valley HS), who beat the Crusader goalkeeper one-on-one for his second goal of the year to put the match away.

DSU held an 18-11 edge in shot attempts, including an 8-4 count on goal. Senior goalkeeper Bradley Trella (Chandler, Ariz./Chandler HS) (W, 2-3-0) recorded three saves en route to his second decision of the year.

Dixie State opens Pacific West Conference play next week as the Trailblazers head to southern California for two league matches, beginning with a date at Azusa Pacific on Thursday, Sept. 22, followed by a match at Point Loma on Saturday, Sept. 24.