ROCKLIN, Calif. – Alyssa Fong (FR/Rescue, CA) scored her first two career collegiate goals and Vanguard owned a 19-11 advantage in shots, but a trio of first half goals by William Jessup proved too much to overcome in a 3-2 loss on Saturday at Warrior Field.
The loss dropped the Lions to 4-8-1 overall and 1-5 in the Golden State Athletic Conference. The Warriors, who remained in first place in GSAC action at 3-0-2, improved to 9-2-2 overall.
What Happened?: William Jessup struck for three goals within the first 25 minutes of the game to put the Lions in an early hole.
The leading goal scorer in the GSAC, Kaylee Gillespie, accounted for the first two goals.
Alhan Bakideh sent a long pass upfield that connected with Gillespie. Gillespie took several touches to maneuver her way into the box, sidestepping Vanguard goalkeeper Ashley Levi (FR/Brentwood, CA) and booting a left-footed shot into the net for the 1-0 lead at the 13:49 mark.
In the 19th minute, the Warriors made it 2-0. Kye Johnson outraced Levi to a pass headed toward the left side of the box and maintained possession. Levi was able to get back into position, but Johnson turned and found Gillespie at the top of the 18. Gillespie took one touch to evade a Lions defender and booted a shot into the upper left corner for her 11th goal of the season.
Levi prevented Gillespie from a hat trick with a diving save in the 26th minute, but Johnson was right there for the rebound as her goal gave William Jessup a 3-0 advantage.
The Lions created early opportunities as two shots by Ayanna Suarez (SR/Indio, CA) and another from Marielisa Hallam (SR/Corona, CA) forced William Jessup goalie Olivia Foulk into three saves. Foulk stopped two more shots from Emily Miramontes (SR/Fullerton, CA) midway through the half as the Lions continued to threaten.
Persistence paid off as Vanguard's pressure led to its first goal. A Warrior defender deflected a pass to Payton Siurek (JR/Temecula, CA), who took a couple of quick dribbles before dropping it off to Fong. Fong measured the ball up and delivered a perfect shot into the upper left corner to narrow the deficit to 3-1 in the 33rd minute.
Trailing 3-1 at half, the Lions continued to press forward and outshot the Warriors 11-3 in the second half.
Foulk made another save on Miramontes in the 49th minute, and turned away Faith Hunt (SO/Yorba Linda, CA) in the 53rd and Madelyn Diaz (JR/San Clemente, CA) in the 55th.
Fong reentered the game in the 74th minute and made an impact soon thereafter.
After a William Jessup foul, Fong's free kick from 25 yards out looped over the wall and toward the near post, avoiding Foulk's outstretched arms. Fong secured her first career brace at the 80:13 mark to make it 3-2.
However, the Warrior defense stiffened and held Vanguard without a shot for the rest of the way.
Foulk made nine saves in net for the Warriors, while her counterpart Levi had two stops for Vanguard. Suarez led the Lions with five shots while Miramontes contributed four. Gillespie tied Suarez for game-high honors with five shots of her own. VU held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.
What Was Said:? "Our fight and resilience in the second half today was something to be proud of," said head coach Lauren Mascaro. "Alyssa Fong was dialed in and came through big time with her first two collegiate goals."
Why Is It Important?: It is the first victory for William Jessup in nine tries all-time against Vanguard. The Lions will most likely need to win their final two regular season games against San Diego Christian and Hope International to qualify for the six-team GSAC Tournament.
What's Next: The Lions return home for Senior Day on Saturday, Oct. 23 against San Diego Christian. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
