Dixie State won the second match of its three-match, season-opening road trip with a 2-0 shutout at Cal State San Marcos Saturday afternoon at the CSUSM Cage.

The Trailblazers (2-0-0) netted a goal in each half, beginning in the 18^th-minute when sophomore Ambree Bennett (South Jordan, Utah/Herriman HS) tucked home her first collegiate goal on a ball played in by senior Nichole Mertz (Springville, Utah/Springville HS) and sophomore Tori Page (Centerville, Utah/Viewmont HS).

DSU maintained its one-goal advantage until late in the 65^th-minute, that was when freshman Lauren Buxton (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain HS) found fellow freshman Whitley Johns (Gilbert, Ariz./Campo Verde HS), who beat Cougar netminder Bailey Cockrill on a breakaway one-on-one chance to extend the DSU lead to 2-0. For Johns, it was her second goal in as many matches to open the year.

As was the case in DSU's season-opening 2-0 win at CSU San Bernardino this past Thursday, the Blazer defense stifled San Marcos, limiting the Cougars to just five shot attempts (none on goal), all of which came in the second half. DSU was credited with six attempts, four on frame.

"It was very strong performance again by our team," said DSU Head Coach Gerry Lucey. "Defensively we looked solid and gave up very few opportunities. I was impressed by our mental strength to push through the more difficult moments in the game.

"This was a solid test against a very good and young San Marcos team," Lucey added. "We are moving in the right direction and have a few levels yet to reach. We have another tough game [at CSULA] on Monday, which will be a different type of test with a strong possession-based team with pace and creative quality. We look forward to the challenge."

Dixie State will wrap up its three-game SoCal trip Monday at Cal State Los Angeles. Kickoff is slated for 12 noon (PT).