TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (August 20, 2019) - The Salt Lake Community College men's soccer program came strikingly close to reaching the pinnacle in 2018, falling just short of claiming the Region 18 championship.

After rising as high as No. 2 in the NJCAA polls during the 2018 season, the Bruins are ranked at No. 14 in the 2019 preseason poll and are ready to open the season on Thursday in Arizona against Paradise Valley Community College. The season-opener comes after a productive training camp that saw Salt Lake continue its strong relationship with Real Salt Lake, practicing at RSL's Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.

SLCC coach Mark Davis said the team is excited to start the season.

"Our program took a strong step forward in the 2018 season and we're excited to carry that momentum into the 2019 season," he said. "We've had a very encouraging camp and our players are excited to play an opponent like Paradise Valley."

Salt Lake will play a pair of matches over the weekend, facing Paradise Valley on Thursday and Pima Community College on Saturday. Pima is annually one of the strongest programs in the nation, having gone 19-5-3 in 2018 and falling in the NJCAA tourney semifinals.

Davis said the preseason competition is a benefit to his program.

"We're trying to elevate our program and playing competition like Pima helps accomplish that goal," he said. "It's all part of our strategy to be ready for competition later in the season."

Salt Lake will play its home opener on Sept. 1 against Northeastern Junior College and will open Scenic West Athletic Conference play on Sept. 12 against USU Eastern.