Lions reload for upcoming fall

After losing five seniors and four of the top six scorers from the

team that won the Golden State Athletic Conference championship in

2004, Vanguard University men’s soccer coach Randy Dodge has

restocked the roster for the upcoming season.

Dodge, in fact, believes this year’s additions may give him more

options and depth than last season.

Andrew Elliott has transferred from UC Irvine, where he played one

season. Elliott, a native of Scotland, was the leading scorer for

Paisley United in his home country for two seasons, prior to

attending UCI.

Elliott and two more transfers, Ryan Sullivan and Sem Lopez, will

be expected to make an immediate impact and be a big part of the

Lions’ future.

Sullivan, who played for the Lions in 2001 prior to Dodge’s first

season, brings an intense defensive presence as a junior.

Lopez, a 2000 graduate of El Toro High, will redshirt in 2005 but

figures to have a very bright future.

Freshmen Rene Rodriguez, a midfielder from Coachella Valley High,

and Erick Portillo, a forward from Rancho Cucamonga High, come with

impressive high school credentials and could play a substantial role

early in their careers.

The Lions have also picked up collegiate rookies Jason Swift, a

fullback from Pasadena High, Dane Gallion, a forward/midfielder from

Cascade Christian High, Jonathan Hughes, a defender from Liberty

High, Jeremy Small, a defender/midfielder from Edison High, and Dan

Brown, a defender from Brethren High.

Daniel Calderson, a midfielder from Mira Mesa High, and Dustin Van

Gundy from Monte Vista Christian High, as well as William Johnson, a

goalkeeper from Dana Hills High, are scheduled to redshirt this

season.

The Lions will meet the alumni tonight at 7 at Vanguard.

Vanguard is scheduled to open the season Sept. 2 against Robert

Morris of Illinois in the opening round of the Biola Classic at

Biola.

Alumni match set for today

* The Vanguard University women’s volleyball team will be among

the first on campus to begin preseason competition when its hosts the

alumni at noon today.

There will be a postgame barbecue furnished by the VU volleyball

program for former volleyball players and their families, and

spectators are invited to attend free of charge. Alumni are

encouraged to call Coach Erikka Gulbranson via voice mail at (714)

556-3610, ext. 204.