Santa Clarita – Despite a 16-4 advantage in shots, Vanguard men's soccer fell victim to a goal in the 27th minute and host The Master's claimed a 1-0 victory in a Golden State Athletic Conference match on Thursday afternoon.
The Lions saw their two-match win streak halted, falling to 4-3-1 overall and 0-1 in the GSAC. The Mustangs improved to 4-4-1 and 1-0 in conference play.
What Happened?: Vanguard controlled the run of play throughout the game and was aggressive early on, taking five of the first six shots of the game. Five different Lions – Lucah Flores (FR), Andrew Robles (SR/Tustin, CA), Oscar Salas (SR/Santa Ana, CA), Stewart Alvayero (JR/Los Angeles, CA) and Jesse Gonzalez (JR/Fullerton, CA) – peppered the Mustangs with shots, forcing goalie Kian Bensend into two saves.
Aidan Rhode managed the only two shots in the first stanza for The Master's, but his second attempt provided the game-winning effort.
Giorgio Martino took a short pass from a Mustang teammate off of a stolen throw-in, and connected with Rhode in the middle of the field. Rhode took one dribble, moved toward his left to avert a Lion defender, and unleashed a left-footed rocket into the lower right corner past a diving Jimmy Choi.
Choi had gone 226 straight minutes without allowing a goal before Rhode's breakthrough.
The goal held up for The Master's, but not without a fight as VU continued to press forward in the second half. The Lions identically outshot the Mustangs 8-2 in both halves. Robles had a solid chance at equalizing in the 85th minute, but his left-footed shot from inside the box was right at Bensend.
Austin Tubbs (JR/Long Beach, CA) entered for VU as a late substitution and got off two shots in the final minute that missed their mark.
Robles led all Lions with four shots, including two on goal. Choi did not make a save for VU in goal. VU also led the corner kicks battle by a 6-0 margin.
Why Is It Important?: It is the fourth time in the last five trips that VU has lost on the road to The Master's.
What's Next: A crucial GSAC showdown on Saturday against rival Westmont. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. in Santa Barbara.
