SURPRISE, Ariz. – Madelyn Diaz (SR/San Clemente, CA) gave Vanguard an early lead with her third goal of the season, but OUAZ had a response in earning a 2-1 victory in Golden State Athletic Conference women's soccer action on Sunday morning.

OUAZ defeated the Lions for the second straight year as Grace Green and Mindy Lertzman tallied goals in the 19th and 32nd minutes.

The teams matched up evenly in the statistical department with nine shots each and OUAZ holding a slim 7-6 edge in corner kicks. The Spirit were whistled for 18 fouls compared to VU's eight.

OUAZ moved to 9-3-1 overall and 3-1-1 in GSAC play. The Lions fell to 7-4-2 and 3-2 in league action.

What Happened?: Rachel Penick (FR/San Diego, CA) took a corner kick and played a ball backwards to Celeste Kiernan (JR/Las Vegas, NV), who knocked a pass into the middle of the box to Diaz. Diaz stuck her left foot out and half-volleyed a shot into the lower left corner for the 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. Penick picked up her fifth assist of the season, while Kiernan collected her second.

The Lions kept the Spirit offense at bay with just one shot in the first 18 minutes, but OUAZ's breakthrough came at the 18:11 mark.

The tying score was similar to VU's goal, coming off a set piece from a corner kick but with one less pass. Andrea Ibarra connected with Grace Green, who half-volleyed a right-footed shot inside the near post for the equalizer.

The Spirit nearly claimed the lead in the 26th minute as substitute Mindy Lertzman snuck inside the six and unleashed a shot that went wide left.

But Lertzman was not to be denied on her next opportunity five minutes later. The Spirit connected a series of passes that led to the goal. Paige Murray-Hernand used her heel to one-touch a pass in stride to Lertzman, who split a pair of Lion defenders and encountered Holmquist-Wilder 1v1. Holmquist-Wilder sprawled to her left, but Lertzman found the bottom right corner for a 2-1 OUAZ lead.

The first half concluded with neither team producing any other serious chances. OUAZ led in shots (7-4) and corner kicks (4-3).

In the second half, chances were limited as both teams settled into a defensive struggle. Diaz had an open look in the 63rd minute but her shot sailed high and wide.

In the 75th minute, Alyssa Fong (SO/Rescue, CA) had a free kick from 35 yards out that went right at OUAZ goalie Akela Patterson as she collected her third save.

VU's last gasp came on another Fong free kick, but her shot from 28 yards out sailed over the crossbar.

VU outshot OUAZ 5-2 in the second half but could not create enough dangerous opportunities. Penick led the Lions with three shots, followed by two apiece from Fong and Diaz.

Lertzman had two shots for the Spirit off the bench.

Why Is It Important?: Vanguard entered the weekend in first place in the GSAC, but fell into a tie for third after two losses to the Arizona schools. However, the Lions, with nine points, trail co-leaders Westmont and OUAZ by just one point.

What's Next?: VU gets a huge opportunity to retake first place, hosting Westmont next Thursday at 1:30 p.m.