Brothers expected to bolster Vanguard

Vanguard University’s men’s soccer coach Randy Dodge has added seven

new players to a team that went 13-6-1 last season.

Brothers Efrain and Mariano Salcedo lead a group of experienced

players that will be expected to contribute immediately for the

Lions.

Efrain was a two-time all-conference player at Los Angeles Harbor

College and transfers to Vanguard from UC Irvine, where he was a

co-captain and co-Most Valuable Player for the Anteaters in 2003. He

will have one season of eligibility left to spend at Vanguard.

Mariano followed in his brother’s footsteps through the junior

college ranks and was an all-conference midfielder for Los Angeles

Harbor last season. The younger Salcedo will be a junior.

Ryan Sullivan rejoins the Lions after not playing for the last two

seasons. The junior defender played for Vanguard in 2001, prior to

Dodge’s arrival.

Eric Minnick, an all-conference defender from Santa Ana College,

completes the transfer list as he brings two years of community

college soccer experience. Minnick attended Esperanza High prior to

Santa Ana, helping the Aztecs win a CIF championship.

The freshman trio of Gustau Bermudez, Ryan Pinkney and Abraham

Rodriguez represent the future for the Lions.

Bringing in quality high school experience, the three will help

balance a veteran-heavy lineup which Dodge feels might be the most

talented squad to ever compete at Vanguard.

Vanguard hosts its annual alumni game Aug. 27 before opening the

regular season Sept. 1 at the Westminster College tournament in Utah.