IRVINE, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions made history this weekend as they secured the programs first victory in only their third outing in their inaugural season. The momentous moment came in the opening contest at the SoCal Kick-Off Tournament on the campus of Concordia University as the Pride was victorious 15-7 over the University of California - Davis. After splitting the pair of matches on Saturday, the Blue and Gold followed suit with a victory over Riverside City College and a loss to Sacramento State University.
"It's a great feeling knowing all of our hard work payed off after getting our first two wins as the first Vanguard Stunt team," team captian Jenny Rocha cheerfully said. "I am so proud of this team and their dedication."
Vanguard 15, UC Davis 7
The Lions shot out of the gate securing the points in the first three routines and ended with a 3-1 lead after the first quarter of play - partner stunts. Moving into the second quarter, Vanguard swept 3-0 in the pyramids portion to take a 6-1 advantage into the intermission. During the jumps and tumbling phase of the match, UC-Davis secured a 3-2 edge, but the Lions were on top 8-4 heading into the team routines. In the decisive period, the Lions secured seven of a possible nine points to end with a eight point margin of victory.
Concordia 19, Vanguard 9
The first two rounds of the match found the Eagles and Lions deadlocked at 2-2. CUI ended the first quarter on a high note, taking a 4-2 advantage into the next period. The same theme followed suit in the next period as the teams each scored two points during the opening two routines before CUI ended with a 8-4 lead entering halftime. After an identical third quarter, the Eagles led 12-6 when the team routines started. The Eagles grabbed seven points in the last period compared to only three for the Blue and Gold.
Vanguard 15, Riverside City 6
After splitting their two contests the day before, the Pride kicked off their day with a dominant showing against RCC. Vanguard swept 3-0 in the opening quarter, but the Tigers fired right back with winning two straight frames in the second quarter. With the score showing 3-2, the Lions ended the half strong to take a 4-2 edge into the break. The squads split the third quarter as both sides were awarded two points each over the three routines. After the third quarter, Vanguard was leading 6-4 and had their eye on a second victory in as many days. Then, another historic occasion was recorded by the Blue and Gold. The Lions were a perfect 9-9 in awarded points in the final quarter to earn the nine point margin of victory.
Sac State 13, Vanguard 7
In their final match of the weekend, the Lions were pitted against the top team in the tournament. The teams split the opening routine before Sac State rattled off three straight wins to hold a 4-1 edge after the first quarter. The Lions scored to start the second quarter, but the Hornets recorded eight points in a row to lead 11-2 after three quarters. The teams each scored four points in the fourth period.
Next Match: Saturday, March 3rd against Cal Baptist and Cal Poly Pomona at 11:00 a.m and 12:30 p.m.
-GOLD PRIDE-
