6/15/09 - Denver, CO. -- In early June, the goal for any PASL team is simple: try and gain wins while playing soccer that might or might not be pretty.

The Denver Dragons succeeded on both counts Saturday, picking up a victory while playing soccer that improved as their season opener wore on.

Thus, not only did the Red-and-White start the season off on the right foot by collecting an 8-4 win against the Pikes Peak Cavalry at The Colorado Sports Center, that the club did so with a good bit of attractive play made it more rewarding.

"In the second quarter when things settled down there was actually some pretty good soccer out there," Dragons Captain and midfielder Josh Elbaum said.

Such a performance gives the club something to build on heading into their next road games of the season, a match at FC Fury 2 on Saturday and Sunday at the Highlands Ranch Heat.

"Obviously it's very important to get a win in the first game of the season, start on the right note and keep on working and keep on building from that," Elbaum said. "There are no easy games in this league and every game every weekend is important."

Saturday's win was the fourth consecutive opening victory for the Red-and-White.

By winning each opener, the Dragons were able to set themselves up for a good start and prevent from falling behind the conference leaders as they claimed playoff berths in each of the last four seasons.

"Early on in the year, especially with road games, you want to try and take advantage of them," Elbaum said. "Nobody is necessarily sharp yet but these wins could come in handy down the road."

Another aspect of regular-season games that preseason friendlies and intrasquad scrimmages cannot replicate is the physical nature of the game. The Cavalry not only provided Denver with a real-life opponent in a meaningful setting, the club presented a physical obstacle that the Dragons overcame.

"It was physical, more physical than most games and I was glad that we actually rose to the challenge," Elbaum said, "to make sure we were ready to dig in, bite and fight a little bit more."