The Dominican University men's soccer team opened Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) play on Wednesday afternoon, rolling through the Rockford University Regents 6-1 on the Stars' West Campus pitch. Dominican University's Nicolo Vitale and Nestor Ascencio tallied two goals apiece with Vitale opening the scoring in the seventh minute of play and capping the day in the 83^rd minute.
 
The Stars outshot the Regents by a final count of 23-13 but let Rockford pull within a goal on Alonzo Carrillo's second goal of the season just fifty seconds after David Ortega gave the Stars a 3-0 lead in the 73^rd minute.
 
After Rockford scored and generated a couple opportunities over a five minute span, Dominican put the game out of reach with a trio of goals that spanned six minutes from the 77^th minute through the 83^rd.
 
"We wanted to get on the board early and we did just that in the seventh minute," commented Erick Baumann, the Stars' head coach in his 23^rd season.  "Unfortunately, we took our foot off the gas pedal after the goal and didn't play with any desire. We need to commit to being more consistent and at our best with everything we do. If we want to be champions, we don't get to pick and choose when to turn it on…I expect better from our program."
 
Ascencio collected six points in the match with the two goals and assisting on another two.  Jonathan Arzeta also picked up a pair of assists.  Josh Prindle picked up a goal off the bench, scoring the Stars' fifth goal, coming in the 79^th minute.

In goal for the Stars, freshman goalkeeper Brendon Martin picked up his first collegiate win, logging five saves in his first collegiate start.
 
Dominican, now 5-2-0 on the season, continues to navigate league play on Saturday, traveling Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to take on the Marian University Sabres.  Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Marian's Smith Field.