COSTA MESA, Calif. - The 14th-ranked Vanguard University Women's Soccer team (3-1, 1-1), was able to earn their first win in conference play with a 5-0 victory over San Diego Christian (1-3-1, 0-2). Payton Sak (FR/Henderson, NV), Lorryn Carter (SO/Bakersfield, CA), Madelyn Diaz (SO/San Clemente, CA), Celeste Kiernan (FR/Las Vegas, NV), and Marielisa Hallam (JR/Corona, CA) all recorded goals on the day, while Faith Hunt (FR/Yorba Linda, CA) and Allie Griffiths (SR/Aliso Viejo, CA) both recorded assists. Haley Magana (SR/Los Alamitos, CA) recorded her third shutout of the year which ranks 14th in the NAIA.
What Happened? The Lions created a fantastic opportunity in the 30th minute as a shot by Payton Sak was blocked away by the SDCC keeper towards the left side of the box. Kelsey Bryant (JR/Apple Valley, CA) was able to get to the ball first and take a shot, but an incredible effort by a Hawk defender saved a sure goal as she leaped in front of the ball and blocked it away. The Lions would get on the board with 17 minutes left in the first half as Marielisa Hallam collected a short goal kick and took advantage of the goalkeeper being out of position, send the ball arching high into the back of the net.
The Pride would strike again a minute and a half out of the halftime break as Sak stole the ball and dribbled down the far side of the field, her shot was low and hard and beat the keeper to double the Lions' lead. Vanguard would draw blood once again in the 70th minute as Madelyn Diaz stepped up to take a free-kick a couple of yards outside the 18-yard box. She bent the ball into the top left corner to push the lead to three. A couple of minutes later, the Hawks found a good look right in front of the net, but Magana was able to extend and punch the ball over the net to keep the visitor's side scoreless.
Lorryn Carter would keep the fun rolling for the Pride as she scored her first goal of the year off of a beautiful cross by Allie Griffiths to take a 4-0 lead. With 2:40 left on the clock, Celeste Kiernan would put the icing on the cake with a beautiful strike in the middle of the eighteen-yard-box off of an assist from Faith Hunt.
Why It's Important? When the dust had settled, the Lions recorded the seventh-most shots in a single game (48) and the second-most ever in a conference game. The last time that the Lions racked up that many shots were in 2016 was when they recorded 49 in a game against Bethesda in 2016.
Top Performers: Payton Sak, Lorryn Carter, Madelyn Diaz, Celeste Kiernan, and Marielisa Hallam all recorded goals on the day, while Faith Hunt and Allie Griffiths both recorded assists. Haley Magana recorded her third shutout of the year which ranks 14th in the NAIA.
What They Said: "This week we worked a lot on getting to goal and maximizing our opportunities in front of the net," said Payton Sak. "We managed to get that done and it was good to get out with a win."
What's Next: Thursday, March 11th against Hope International University at 11:00 a.m.
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