Rosemount, Minn. - The Dakota County Technical College men's soccer team has won ten games so far in its 2015 campaign. This is the ninth consecutive year that the Blue Knights have had a winning season and earned at least ten wins. The team is putting together solid performances as the post season approached.

Until earlier this fall, the program had been ranked and recognized in the national top 20 for four straight seasons. Then came two losses on the opening weekend, including a lopsided blowout, to top teams in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I.

Since mid-August, the Blue Knights have pushed back and put together ten wins and a couple of competitive ties along with a three loss spell.  Overall the team stands at 10-6-2 with two games remaining before getting on the road for regional playoffs.

This year's roster is dominated by 21 freshman and includes a starting lineup that has seen at least eight freshmen in each game. That fledging team has produced a consistent attack that offers a variety of scoring from a range of field positions and players.  Forward Sam Contreras (Freshman Hopkins) leads the team with eight goals while nine other teammates have chipped in 32 additional goals.  The Blue Knights are averaging 2.2 goals a game on 12.4 shots a game.

The backline defense is anchored by Oscar Alverez (Freshman Lakeville) and have spotted a 1.64 goals against average in the 18 matches played.  Goals against have been greatly decreased when considering DCTC gave up 10 goals in their first two games.  Since the opening weekend losses, DCTC changed Goalkeepers going with Max Chase (Freshman Shakopee) who now holds a record of 10-4-2 while limiting opposition to an average of 1.2 goals in his 16 matches. Chase has an impressive save average of .760 on 57 shots taken on the DCTC goal in his time.

Head Coach Cam Stoltz said "this year's team is dynamically different from the past. We are as talented as ever, but young and less experienced than the norm.  Our learning curve is high and the players are always responding.  What's exciting is in any given game we compete at the highest level.  The challenge is getting these guys, who are accustom to club and high school subbing patterns to realize what it takes to play 90 minutes with no let downs.  On any given day and more so lately, we are a very efficient and dangerous team. We are headed in the right direction.

The Blue Knights play host Gustvaus Adolphus College on Wednesday at 7pm and then play their final regular season game at Fairbault Shattuck on Saturday at 11am. DCTC will then take to the road for NJCAA Division I playoffs which begin October 26^th.  DCTC will they play the 8th seed from Region 11 (Iowa and Nebraska).  DCTC is the sole program representing Region 13 (MN, ND, SD, and WI). For more information on Blue Knights Mens Soccer contact Head Coach Cam Stoltz at cam.stoltz@dctc.edu.