Lions forfeit games

The Vanguard University men's soccer team, ranked No. 5 in the NAIA, will forfeit its first six games of the 2010 season.

The Lions absorb six losses instead, bringing its new overall record to 4-7. They were 8-1-1.

The forfeits came as a result of an ejection during the last game of the 2009 season and soccer rule 12.12.1.

The sport-specific rule states that any game in which a suspended player or coach participates in illegally shall be forfeited to the opposing team. According to the rule, because Coach Randy Dodge received a red card in the last game of the 2009 season, he should have been suspended from Vanguard's first match of the 2010 season, against CSU San Marcos Aug. 31.

However, due to an oversight, he did not serve the suspension until Sept. 25 at Azusa Pacific University.

Therefore, according to rule 12.12.1, Vanguard is required to forfeit all the matches that Dodge was involved in prior to serving the suspension.

The statistics for the forfeited games will remain as played, however the scores will be adjusted to 1-0 losses.

The penalty will not affect Vanguard's Golden State Athletic Conference mark, which will remain 3-1.

— From staff reports