COSTA MESA, Calif. - The 14th-ranked Vanguard University Women's Soccer team (3-2, 1-2) fell to 1-2 in conference play as Hope International University (3-1, 2-1) scored two goals in the first five minutes and would use a bend, but don't break approach defensively to the rest of the contest to earn a 2-0 victory. 

What Happened? The Royals got on the board early on as Natalie Padilla found Luli Bethencourt at the top of the 18 who buried the ball into the top left corner to go up 1-0 two minutes in. Three minutes later, Lauren Lizarraga would make a run down the left side of the field and crossed it in front to the waiting foot of Jessica Ramos who took a touch and found the back of the net to go up two goals to none. 

In the 25th minute, a well-placed shot by Kelsey Bryant was streaking towards the goal before HIU's Siera Pedroza sprawled out to her left and made the save. The Royals would go into the break up 2-0 despite being outshot 5-2 in the first half. The Lions would come out with a much stronger effort in the second half, keeping the ball in the visitors' end for a majority of the final 45 minutes. Despite outshooting the Royals 10-2 in the second half, the Blue and Gold could not find any seams and would fall 2-0. 

Why It's Important? The Lions would outshoot the Royals 15-4 and would earn a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks, but unfortunately could not put one on the scoreboard. Three of the final four games for the Pride will be in conference play, where two of the four teams currently rank in the NAIA top-25 poll. 

What They Said: "I am really proud of how our team fought hard until the final whistle. We played a really great 85 minutes of soccer, but unfortunately, we dug ourselves too big of a hole," said Head Coach Lauren Mascaro. "We generated a high amount of quality offensive chances down the stretch, but credit Hope for their active defense."

What's Next: A matchup against the sixth-ranked Westmont Warriors on Thursday, March 18th at 1:30 p.m.

#ClawsUp