Costa Mesa -- The Vanguard women's soccer team got back on the field after a week off Tuesday and earned their first win of the season. Vanguard took down the University of Saint Katherine Firebirds 2-0 in a quality team effort, as the Lions improve to 1-3-1 on the year.
What Happened? Vanguard swept the Firebirds last year and the team knew they needed a good result Tuesday to get their season back on track. The Lions got the first shot off rapidly, as Ayanna Suarez (SR/Indio, CA) tried to blast in a goal within the first minute, but a USK defender got in the way. A good effort by Bethany Urrabazo (FR/Gilroy, CA) was kicked out by Firebird goalie Kenna Rodriguez a couple of minutes later, with Rodriguez stopping Suarez again in the seventh minute of action.
The teams exchanged looks around the 15th minute, with VU goalie Ashley Levi (FR/Brentwood, CA) and her counterpart Rodriguez scooping up the chances. The Lions had the better of the play in the first 45 but the Firebirds gave a good accounting of themselves, as they outshot the Lions 6-5 despite the VU having a 5-1 edge in corner kicks. With no goals in the first half, both teams took what they could from the coaches at the break and headed back out for the second half.
It would be the Blue and Gold who would find that extra gear in the second half, as they outshot the Firebirds 6-1. The reward for the team came quickly, as a lovely combination play in the 62nd minute put the team ahead. The Lions sent a ball out wide to Kelsey Bryant (SR/Apple Valley, CA) and she turned the corner to get her cross in. Waiting just inside the six-yard box was Marielisa Hallam (SR/Corona, CA), who turned her foot at the perfect angle, and pocketed her first goal of the year with a textbook deflection.
VU would control the pace of the game after that and the lineup kept the Firebirds on the back foot as the half pressed on. Levi came up with her only save in the 81st minute on a deep effort that the Lion netminder easily handled. The offense then hit their stride deep into the game, with Hallam getting another good shot away that was saved in the 83rd minute. Suarez was blocked a minute later, resulting in a corner kick. Emily Miramontes (SR/Fullerton, CA) had a lane open and she took the shot, but the ball was deflected wide. The resulting corner kick was lashed in by Hallam and Jillian Juarez (JR/Glendora, CA), standing right in front of Kenna Rodriguez, headed the ball past the goalie to put VU up 2-0. With little time left on the clock, VU easily closed out the game to pick up their first win of the season.
The Lions outshot USK 11-7 for the game and had a 7-3 edge in corner kicks at the end of the contest. Suarez led the team with four shots, one on target, while Hallam had two shots on target, a goal, and an assist. Levi made three saves in the game.
What was said? "In the past week, we've really worked hard on some of the little pieces of our game that needed some tweaking, and today's results are the proof we needed to see that we're on the right track," said Head Coach Lauren Mascaro. "I'm proud of the perseverance shown by these women to continue believing and working despite our early hiccups. It's great to get the win, the shutout, and an awesome bonus to see some of our leaders hitting their stride in terms of setting up and scoring goals."
Why it is important? The Lions keep their winning streak going against USK and more importantly, get in the win column. It is also the first game that they have led in since they scored first against UNOH on September 1.
What is next? The team will play Marymount on Saturday, September 18, at noon.
