TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (August 22, 2018) - The Salt Lake Community College men's soccer team has been gaining traction as a program, working their way to receive votes in national preseason polls this offseason.

The Bruins received votes in last week's NJCAA preseason poll, bolstering the hopes that Salt Lake will have a banner season in year three of existence as a sanctioned program. The hopes and dreams that filled SLCC after a strong training camp will come to a head on Thursday, with the Bruins opening the season at Zions Banks Stadium in Herriman.

Salt Lake will host a Thursday-Friday series with Western Nebraska and Northeastern Junior College, with Western Nebraska serving as the season-opener at 5:00 p.m. Thursday. The Bruins will host a trio of matches next weekend, all in preparations for the Scenic West Athletic Conference opener on Sept. 7 at Colorado Northwestern.

The Western Nebraska Cougars went 6-9 in the 2017 season, playing in the NJCAA's Region 9. Northeastern Junior is located in the neighboring state of Wyoming, also playing in Region 9. Northeastern Junior went 13-8 in the 2017 season.

Thursday's match against Western Nebraska will start at 5:00 p.m., with Friday's match also starting at 5:00 p.m. Salt Lake will play its home games in 2018 at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, home of the Real Monarchs.