Men’s Soccer: Lions post shutout
One player climbed on Randy Dodge’s back, yelling to the Vanguard University men’s soccer coach, “We’re going back!”
The Lions are indeed returning to Delray Beach, Fla., to compete in the second round of the NAIA Tournament for the second straight year.
The No. 7-seeded Lions advanced by shutting out Great Falls University, 3-0, at home on Saturday. After all the celebrating died down, Dodge had to make a tough decision.
Earlier in the day, Dodge led the Vanguard women’s soccer team to the second round, but the women’s NAIA Tournament site is in Orange Beach, Ala. Dodge cannot be at both venues on the same day, Dec. 1, when the men face No. 10 MidAmerica Nazarene University (15-5-1), from Kansas, and the women play No. 3 William Carey University, from Mississippi.
“I’m going to Florida,” Dodge said. “I’m going with the men.
“It’s hard, man. It’s hard. You know, I’m going to disappoint somebody.”
The Lions (16-4), the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament runner-up, moved past the opening round with ease. Ivan Azpeita, Jesus Fregoso and Jose Castillo each scored a second-half goal, and goalkeeper Brandon Gomez only had to make two saves to blank Great Falls (13-6-1), which finished second in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament.
Vanguard reached the quarterfinals of the NAIA tournament last year, a first for the program. Dodge said he has the talent to make another run in the tournament.
Nahum Paz, a former Estancia High player who set up the Lions’ first goal in the 48th minute, is looking forward to making the trip. He was unable to travel with the team last year to Florida.
“Last year I redshirted [because] I had an ACL injury,” said Paz, a sophomore midfielder. “Now I’m pretty stoked to be a part of this. I’m going to live this.”
