RENO, Nev. – There will be a certain amount of familiarity to the surroundings for Reno 1868 FC’s Jerry van Ewijk and Duke Lacroix on Saturday night as their current side heads to face their former one, Orange County SC, at Champions Soccer Stadium (9 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+).

With 1868 FC looking to extend its 10-game undefeated streak and potentially overtake its Southern California foe in the Western Conference standings in the process, both players are hopeful the side can continue what has been a positive vein of form.

“It’s going to be a tough match for us, but I think we’re playing really well right now as a team,” said van Ewijk. “I would like to finish more chances, really, but I think we’re all finding ourselves as a team and that’s why you are seeing results.”

Van Ewijk has notched a pair of goals this season for Reno after scoring eight goals for Orange County a season ago but has started to find his place in the 1868 FC attack in other ways with 14 key passes for a side that has started to ramp up its attacking pressure on opponents in recent weeks. Only a nine-save performance from Fresno FC goalkeeper Kyle Reynish kept Reno from victory last Saturday night in a 1-1 draw at Greater Nevada Field, and 1868 FC now sits fourth in the league with 200 shots this season.

The 26-year-old native of the Netherlands had five shots overall and two key passes for Reno in that contest with the Foxes, and 1868 FC Head Coach Ian Russell has been pleased by the progression he’s seen in recent weeks as van Ewijk has began to fit in with the rest of the side’s attacking pieces.

“Jerry was also one of their key players last season,” said Russell. “I feel like he’s starting to find his groove and position here at the right time. We’re hoping he continue his great form on Saturday.”

Lacroix, meanwhile, has adopted a more defensive role than the one he played for Orange County before his season was cut short by injury early last season. Now fitting into Reno’s backline at left back, Lacroix is using his instincts to get into good positions that have helped add to 1868 FC’s attack.

As short as his time on the field for Orange County was, playing only five games before suffering his injury, the focus for Lacroix is on treating the game like any other.

“It’s really another game for us,” he said. “They are right above us in the standings, so it will be a challenge for sure. But I think we can get the result we’re looking for.”