Vanguard men’s soccer bound for Florida

The Vanguard University men’s soccer team makes the program’s second trip to the 16-team final-site NAIA Tournament and will face No. 14-ranked Bellevue of Nebraska on Monday at 10:30 a.m. PST at the Seacrest Soccer Complex in Delray Beach, Fla.

Coach Randy Dodge’s unranked Lions (13-6-2) extended their unbeaten streak to eight games with a 0-0 tie against Indiana Wesleyan in the first round on Saturday. Vanguard prevailed, 5-4, in penalty kicks to advance.

Vanguard has outscored opponents, 13-3, during the unbeaten streak that included six straight wins heading into the first-round contest.

Coach Randy Dodge’s Lions are led by All-Golden State Athletic Conference performers Juan Arellano, Brandon Gomez and Samer Mahmood.

Arellano, a sophomore midfielder, has seven goals and four assists for 18 points, topped only by junior forward Jesus Fregoso’s eight goals and three assists (19 points).

Gomez, a freshman goalkeeper, has six shutouts and a 1.05 goals-against average, while Mahmood, a junior defender, is a transfer from South Carolina.

The Lions lost in the Round of 16 in their first final-site appearance in 2010.

Bellevue (14-2-2) is also on an eight-match unbeaten streak, during which it has outscored opponents, 24-3. The Bruins, guided by Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Matt Briggs, have outscored foes, 46-12, this season.

The Bruins, who defeated Hastings of Nebraska, 2-0, in the first round, have six first-team all-conference players, and three more second-team choices.

Red Smith, a midfielder from England who leads the team with 29 points (11 goals and seven assists), is the MCAC Freshman of the Year.

Senior midfielder Manuel Lira, from Mexico, has 10 goals and six assists, while junior midfielder Tobias Maertzke, a native of Hamburg, Germany, has 11 goals and six assists. They were both first-team all-conference performers.

Senior goalkeeper Scott Robertson (six shutouts and an 0.62 goals-against average), is another first-team MCAC selection, as are defenders Alan Carr and Lee Woolmore.

It’s the first final-site appearance for the Bruins since 2009.

The Vanguard-Bellevue winner will advance to face either No. 9-ranked Missouri Valley (15-4) or No. 19-ranked Northwestern Ohio (16-4-1) in the quarterfinals on Dec. 3.

The semifinals are Dec. 5 and the final is Dec. 6.

— Barry Faulkner