The Ross Report - Danny Ortiz

Christina Ross was a three-year letterwinner for the Aztec softball team from 2006-08. Last month, Ross became the second All-American in program history when she was named to the Easton Second Team. Over her career, Ross twice earned MWC Pitcher of the Year honors and was a three-time all-league selection. Ross is the career SDSU record holder in solo shutouts (23), shutouts (tied - 28) and strikeouts (612), despite playing just three seasons for the Aztecs. Ross is currently interning in the Aztec media relations office.

SAN DIEGO -- After finishing runner-up in the Pac-10 in each of the past two seasons and earning NCAA tournament berths in two of the last three campaigns, sights are high for the 2008 Aztec men's soccer team.

SDSU went 8-7-4 last season for its third consecutive winning campaign, a feat which hadn't been done at SDSU since 1990-02. The Aztecs went 4-4-2 in Pac-10 play and were 3-1-2 against top-25 teams, 2-2-3 against 2006 NCAA tournament squads and 5-4-3 against teams with a .500 or better mark at the time of the match.

San Diego State, which was ranked as high as No. 18 by Soccer America last year, returns 23 of its 27 spring players, as well as 10 of its 11 starters from the 2007 group.

One of those starters in senior co-captain Danny Ortiz. A Palmdale, Calif., native and 2006 all-Pac-10 honorable mention selection, Ortiz started all 18 games he played in last year and registered two shots. A defender, Ortiz has appeared in 47 games over his three-year career with 36 starts and an assist to his credit.

Ortiz recently spoke with Christina Ross about the upcoming season for The Ross Report.

Ross Report: Danny Ortiz

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Ortiz being named co-captain and his leadership role with the men's soccer team:
It is a huge honor following up the leaders of the past. I'm excited about it, and hopefully it all goes well.

On his experience playing for (head coach) Lev Kirshner and (assistant coach) Matt Hall:
I couldn't have asked for anything better. Those are two of the best coaches I've ever had. They have taught us a lot of things about being a better person. Just the best I've ever had.

On his preparations during the offseason for this coming up year:
I've just been following the workout packet coach Hall and coach Lev provided us with. I'm doing a lot of running, weight lifting, and a lot of that stuff.

His thoughts on the team's fourth season within the Pac 10 conference, and what fans might expect from the team this year after finishing runner up the past two seasons:
We're going for first place this year. No doubt about that. I'm pretty excited about this season. The last two years have been a bummer coming in second place, but this year we are going to turn things around and go for first.

On how the team is going to overcome the loss of offensive threat Kraig Chiles:
It's hard to say. We've got a lot of good kids out here on the team right now. Evan Toft, Kevin Werbner, Ray Reza, all those guys can make a pretty good impact and should have no problem filling Chiles' shoes.

On whether or not he has had the opportunity to practice with any of the incoming freshman:
I haven't got a chance to play with them but I've talked to pretty much all of them. We've got some pretty good kids coming in to make an impact so we're pretty excited about that.

On whether he feels any added pressure going into his senior year:
Yeah, of course. Dennis (Sanchez) and I have talked about it also with Werbner. We're pretty much what's left of my year. We want to go out with a big bang and get that Pac-10 championship and national championship.

On what his plans are after this season:
Hopefully to go pro, just as it is everybody's dream. We'll see what happens after the year, maybe go to some combines and try to make it to the big time.