Men’s Soccer: Vanguard opens NAIA Tournament at Indiana Wesleyan

The Vanguard University men’s soccer team will visit No. 4-seeded Indiana Wesleyan to open the NAIA Tournament on Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Lions (13-6-1), who won the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament to secure their second NAIA Tournament bid, their first since 2010, take a seven-game unbeaten streak, including six straight wins, to Marion, Ind.

Indiana Wesleyan (18-1), champion of the Crossroads Conference, have won 17 in a row and have outscored opponents, 59-17, this season.

The Wildcats are led by senior forward Tyrone Martin, the Crossroads Player of the Year who has 17 goals and 10 assists this season.

Corey Lopez (13 goals and three assists) and Keaton Albert (nine goals and 12 assists) are also first-team all-conference performers for the Wildcats.

Vanguard is led by junior Jesus Fregoso (eight goals and three assists), sophomore Juan Arellano (seven goals and four assists), senior Luis Valdivia (six goals and five assists), and freshman goalkeeper Brandon Gomez (1.12 goals-against average and five shutouts).

Saturday’s winner will advance to Delray Beach, Fla., where the quarterfinals, semifinals and final will be contested Dec. 1 through Dec. 6.

— Barry Faulkner