CLINTON, Miss. – The Bluefield College men's soccer team will have its second chance at postseason success this weekend when it takes part in the National Christian College Athletic Association's Mid-East Regional, hosted by Mississippi College.
 
The Rams, who garner the No. 3 seed in the regional, will face No. 2 seed Lee University at 3 p.m. (ET) on Friday in semifinal play. Should Bluefield win, the Rams would face the winner of No. 1 Mississippi College vs. No. 4 Campbellsville University on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (ET) for the region crown.
 
The region champion will advance to the NCCAA Men's Soccer National Championship, contested Dec. 1-6 at the Austin-Tindall Soccer Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.
 
The Rams last played Nov. 8, falling to Tennessee Wesleyan College by a 4-0 margin in the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament.
 
"We are really excited to get back on the pitch and have the opportunity to represent our College at the regional level," remarked first year head coach Chase Neidig. "The guys have been working really hard in practice this week and we hope it translates to success for us this weekend."
 
Bluefield is looking to continue one it's most successful seasons in program history. The Rams posted an 11-6-1 mark in the regular season, with the 11 wins being the most for the program on record.
 
The Rams have been strong defensively this season, currently allowing program-lows of 27 goals for the year at an average of 1.42 goals against per game. Goalkeepers Jefferson Watson (3) and Oscar Hernandez (5) combined for eight shutouts, setting another program best.
 
On the attack, Bluefield has tallied 48 goals for an average of 2.53 per game. Benjy Slator leads Bluefield with 12 goals on the season and also has three assists for a total of 27 points. Senior Dean Johnson ranks second in goals with 10, while also chipping in a team-high nine assists for a team-leading total of 29 points. Fellow senior Michael Callaghan has been steady for Bluefield in the midfield, scoring six goals and adding six assists for 18 total points.
 
Lee University enters Friday's meeting with an 8-8-2 mark for the year. The Flames compete in the Gulf South Conference (GSC), as they are amidst an affiliation transition to NCAA Division II and are provisional members.
 
The Rams and Flames share three common opponents from the 2014 season: 

Opponent	Bluefield College (0-3-1)	Lee University (1-1-1)
Bryan College	L, 0-3 - Oct. 28	T, 2-2 - Sept. 9
Shawnee State University	L, 2-3 (2OT) - Oct. 14	W, 3-0 - Sept. 27
Tennessee Wesleyan College	T, 0-0 - Nov. 1	L, 0-1 - Sept. 19
	L, 0-4 - Nov. 8 (AAC Tourney)

The Flames have scored 26 goals this year, for an average of 1.44 per contest. Quade Marinell's five goals and six assists leads Lee with 16 points, while David Perez leads the team in goals with six and also has three assists for 15 points.
 
Tom Halsall has been the Flames' primary keeper, starting 14 games. The junior has allowed just 11 goals for a 0.80 goals against average en route to a 7-5-2 record, including four shutouts.
 
The Flames also last played Nov. 8, taking a 1-0 decision over Emmanuel College to close the regular season. Because Lee is still transitioning to D-II, they were not eligible for postseason play in the GSC.
 
"We are in a very tough Mid-East Region, with three programs who have a chance to reach the National Tournament. This is our chance to prove to others that we also belong in that conversation," Neidig concluded.
 
Live stats will be available for Friday's contest. More details on the tournament are available at Mississippi College's tournament webpage.