LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV's Salvador Bernal became the fourth Rebel to be drafted by Major League Soccer in school history, as Toronto FC made the Las Vegas native the eighth selection in the fourth round and 70th overall on Tuesday. The third and fourth rounds of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft were conducted via a teleconference call after the first two rounds were held in Philadelphia last week.

"I was watching the draft on my laptop after class and when I saw my name pop up it was an unbelievable feeling," said Bernal. "I've been working so hard and for it to pay off now is great. I'm looking forward to going to Toronto. They just signed some really good players and I know i'ts going to be a very good and competitive team. I'm looking forward to being a part of it. I know I'm going to be one of the new players, which means I'll have to work really hard to move up but I'm excited about this chance."

"This is the most exciting news we've had in a long time," said UNLV head coach Rich Ryerson. "As a individual, Sal deserves everything he's going to receive thanks to this opportunity after how hard he has worked to get to this point. I have no doubt that he will represent himself, his family, and the University in an exemplary fashion at the next level. I'm also excited because Toronto is a very strong franchise in the MLS, and I believe that he has a good chance to eventually make his way onto the first team."

Bernal, a 5-6 forward, recently completed one of the finest careers in UNLV history. He became the first player since 1991 to earn All-America honors, as he was named third team by the NSCAA and second team by College Soccer News. Bernal also is the only Rebel to be named first team all-conference all four years and the first to be named all-region three times.

The 2014 WAC Offensive Player of the Year, Bernal was the offensive leader for the top scoring offense in the WAC. He ranked in the top five in the league in both goals (eight) and points (19) despite missing five games with an injury. He was tied for the WAC lead in game-winning goals with three, which included the only goal in a 1-0 upset victory over No. 14 UMBC, an eventual College Cup participant, in September in Las Vegas.

His stellar play helped lead the Rebels to one of the best seasons in school history. UNLV swept the WAC regular season and tournament championships en route to reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1988. The Rebels also received their first national ranking since 1992 after making an appearance at No. 23 in Soccer America in the Sept. 16 poll. The team's final record of 14-5-3 tied for the fifth-most wins in program history.

Previous Rebels that were drafted include: Victor "Boomer" Arbelaez as the 30th pick in 2005, Rod Dyachenko as the 31st pick in 2006 and Danny Cruz, 41st in 2008. Cruz is still in the league, as a member of the Philadelphia Union, as is Lamar Neagle, an undrafted free agent who has played the majority of his career with the Seattle Sounders.