PLNC Forced to Forfeit Victories

Point Loma Nazarene College must forfeit five men’s soccer victories and one tie because of its use of an ineligible player, the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics ruled Friday.

Charles Boyum, a first-year midfielder who played in 10 games but had just one shot on goal, was ruled ineligible because PLNC admitted him as a transfer student. Boyum attended College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ill. for one semester before coming to PLNC this fall.

NAIA rules state that in order for a player to be considered a transfer, the student must have completed at least two semesters at another school. As an incoming freshman, Boyum did not meet the NAIA requirements for eligibility that he would have met as a transfer.

Boyum had been cleared by the NAIA District III before the season, but an oversight on Boyum’s eligibility form was brought to the attention of district officials by Cal Baptist, a school to which Boyum had tried to transfer.

PLNC, which was 6-6-1 before the decision, thus fell to 1-12. The Crusaders then lost to U.S. International, 3-2, Friday afternoon to finish the season 1-13.

USIU scored three goals in the last 12 minutes, after PLNC led, 2-0. John Molomo scored the winning goal with four minutes remaining.

Denis Vargis and Mark Vogel scored to give the Crusaders the lead. USIU (5-10-1) answered with goals by Molomo, a penalty kick by Luay Ahmed, and Molomo’s winner.

“I don’t have any problem with the national committee’s ruling,” PLNC Coach Mike Ferrand said. “I just wish it could have been handled sooner. I feel bad it wasn’t caught at the district level. We submit those (forms) long before the season starts.”