December 2, 2009

RedStorm to face Biola in National Quarterfinal

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's soccer team, the No. 3 seed at the NAIA Men's National Soccer Championships, will face unseeded Biola University (CA) on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. EST at Ramirez Field in Fresno, CA.

Rio Grande (17-3-2) advanced to the quarterfinal round with a 2-1 victory over No. 14 seed Columbia College (MO) on Monday evening and will look to advance to the national semifinal for the fourth time in school history.

The RedStorm won its opening round match at Evan Davis Field against Lindenwood University (MO) by a 3-0 score. Rio has a 15-6-1 overall record in NAIA Tournament play.

Biola (13-4-4) is emerging as a Cinderella in the tournament. Biola advanced on penalty kicks for the second straight game after playing to a 1-1 tie with Hastings on Tuesday evening. Biola edged Hastings (16-4-3) 5-4 in the shootout to earn the right to face Rio Grande. Jared Fenlason kicked the deciding goal.

In the opening round Biola took out No. 6 seed Texas at Brownsville also on penalty kicks. Biola now possesses a 0-2-4 record in post-season play. 

The winner of this game will face the winner of No. 7 seed Notre Dame College (16-3-2) and No. 15 seed The Master's (18-2-2) in the semifinal round on Friday at 7:30 p.m. EST. 

The game can be seen on Rio Grande's RGCA TV Channel 15.