COSTA MESA, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions Women's Soccer Team (1-0) took on the University of Saint Katherine (1-2) after a couple of exhibitions and scrimmages for their home debut. The Pride would score two goals in the first five minutes and then rode a rock-solid defensive effort to their first official victory of the 2021 season. 

What Happened? The Lions took their first corner kick of the contest at the 1:32 minute mark and Allie Griffiths (SR/Aliso Viejo, CA) would fire the ball into a ton of traffic into the box. Kelsey Bryant (JR/Apple Valley, CA) was able to direct the ball towards the goal, the ball rattled around a horde of white and maroon jerseys before settling into the back of the net. One minute later the Pride would double their lead as a shot by Griffiths from the top of the eighteen-yard-box would ricochet out to the waiting foot of Jillian Juarez (SO/Glendora, CA) who would find a gap in the defense and sent the ball flying into the back of the net. 

Haley Magana (SR/Los Alamitos, CA) would only be forced into action five times over the course of the 90-minute contest as the backline of the Lions did well to protect her from any Firebird attackers. The Pride out-shot USK 24-11 over the course of the game, holding the Firebirds to only three shots in the first half. 

Why It Matters? This would be the first official victory for the Blue and Gold as they had contests against Biola University and Concordia University that were unofficial. This would also be the first-ever matchup between the Pride and the University of Saint Katherine. 

Top Performers: Kelsey Bryant would score the seventh goal of her college career, Jillian Juarez would score her first collegiate goal, and Haley Magana would record her 27th career shutout with the Blue and Gold. 

What They Said: "We've been prepping really hard this week, trying to work on our set-pieces and we were successful," said Kelsey Bryant. "We scored two goals in them today and we were really excited. Our first home game in over a year and especially getting the freshman to set foot on the field, so I think today we were focusing on playing as a team and bringing in the new players."

What's Next: The Lions will head to Westmont College on Thursday, February 25th for a matchup starting at noon. 

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