Simon Fraser University is off to the semifinal of the NCAA Division II national men’s soccer championships for a second straight year.
The Clan showed off its high-scoring offence that is currently ranked second in the nation, overpowering unranked Regis University 5-0 before the Rangers hometown crowd in Denver on Sunday.
Sophomore striker Ryan Dhillon tallied the game-winning goal early in the quarter-final match, intercepting a ball in the Regis end and scoring an unassisted counter in the eighth minute of play.
SFU got an early insurance marker just five minutes before the half, when Colin Jacques scored off a corner kick from teammate Alex Rowley in the 41st minute.
Carlo Basso gave the Clan a 3-0 lead early in the second half.
Alexander Kleefeldt and Jovan Blagojevic, the hero of SFU’s 2-1 shootout win over the University of California San Diego in the sweet 16 on Saturday, both added goals late in the game.
Brandon Watson recorded the shutout for the Clan, stopping three shots on goal. SFU outshot the Rangers 19-8 in the contest.
The victory put SFU through to its second consecutive NCAA national semifinal to be held in Evans, Georgia on Dec. 5.
SFU will face first-time semifinal entrant Carson-Newman University from Tennessee in the semifinal.
“Brilliant performance, the guys stepped up and did everything we wanted them to do,” said SFU head coach Alan Koch in a press release. “Our work rate was phenomenal. It helped us shut them down and play with conviction in front of our goal. ... It’s been a long road trip, so we’ll get home, relax for a few days and then prepare for Georgia.”
