Vanguard’s Bianchi drafted

Former Vanguard University men’s soccer goalie Tommaso Bianchi, who posted 22 shutouts in a stellar collegiate career, was chosen by the California Cougars in the Major Indoor Soccer League draft last month.

Bianchi was the second player taken in the fourth round of the seven-team, five-round draft held March 8. He will report to preseason camp to compete for a spot on the roster next season, which begins in November.

Bianchi was 36-24-2 in goal for the Lions, posting 241 saves in 5,470 career minutes. His career goals-against average was 1.45.

“Tommy had a great career at Vanguard as a player and as a leader,” Vanguard Coach Randy Dodge said in a release issued by the school.

Bianchi said he was optimistic about his chances of sticking with the Cougars.

“I was excited to see my name on that [draft] list,” Bianchi said in the release. “I feel I can handle this level of play and I look forward to seeing how I fare with the Cougars. Indoor is much different than outdoor, but the essentials are the same: Keep the ball out of the net.”

The Cougars, who complete their season Sunday , are battling for last place in the six-team league. Dominik Jakubek and Jim Larkin shared goalkeeper duties for the Cougars this season. Jakubek, the most recent MISL Goalie of the Week, was 5-2 in seven starts, with a 5.66 goals-against average.dpt.07-bianchi-2-BPhotoInfoMF1PPBBR20060408ixbve9nc(LA)Tommaso Bianchi