Daniel Ward
UNLV forward Salvador Bernal dribbles past UMKC defender Chris Betancourt on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014.
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 | 3:02 p.m.
UNLV senior Salvador Bernal went to class like normal today, and shortly after it ended, he had become the fourth Rebel in school history drafted by Major League Soccer.
Toronto FC picked Bernal with the eighth selection in the fourth round (70th overall) today, making him the first UNLV player drafted since Danny Cruz in 2008.
“I was watching the draft on my laptop after class and when I saw my name pop up, it was an unbelievable feeling,” Bernal said in a news release. “I’ve been working so hard and for it to pay off now is great.”
As a senior, Bernal became the first player since 1991 to earn all-America honors after helping lead the team to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1988. He was named the WAC’s Offensive Player of the Year, ranking top five in the league in goals and points, despite missing five games because of injury.
“As an individual, Sal deserves everything he’s going to receive thanks to this opportunity after how hard he has worked to get to this point,” UNLV coach Rich Ryerson said in a statement. “I have no doubt he will represent himself, his family and the university in an exemplary fashion at the next level.”
Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.
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