COSTA MESA – Kristian Reci scored with 44 seconds remaining in the game to lift The Master's to a 2-1 men's soccer victory over Vanguard on Saturday afternoon at VU Soccer Field.

Reci's goal capped a fast-paced second half in which the Mustangs overcame a one-goal deficit to hand the Lions a tough loss on Senior Day. Prior to the match, VU honored Stewart Alvayero (SR/Los Angeles, CA), Joey Barry (SR/Laguna Hills, CA), Jesse Gonzalez (SR/Fullerton, CA), Mario Gonzalez (SR/Anaheim, CA) and Austin Tubbs (SR/Long Beach, CA) for outstanding careers in the Blue and Gold uniform.

Robert Ronco (FR/San Diego, CA) notched his fourth goal of the season to move into a tie for first on the team with Alvayero and Aidan Doherty (SO/Huntington Beach, CA).

The Master's won their third straight game on goals by Reci and Silas Chavez. TMU also won for the first time in its last six tries at VU Soccer Field.

Vanguard outshot TMU 17-13 for the game, including 11-9 in the second half. TMU goalie Kian Bensend made four saves while VU's Edwin Monterrosa (FR/Los Angeles, CA) had three.

The Lions fell to 6-3-3 overall but maintained their grip on fourth place in the GSAC with 13 points. The Lions are 4-2-1 in GSAC games. TMU (5-8-2, 3-4-0) moved into sixth in the conference standings.

Ten Lions accounted for their 17 shots, led by three apiece from Alvayero and Doherty. Chavez had a match-high four shots for TMU.

What Happened?: With a minute left in the game and both teams appearing to be headed toward a draw, the Mustangs drew a corner kick after Monterrosa knocked away a dangerous attempt from Kai Terentieff out of bounds.

The Mustangs played connect the dots as Giorgio Martino steered his service into the middle of the box. Terentieff leapt and headed the ball to the near post. Reci, who positioned himself inside the six, ran to his left and flicked his header top shelf for the goal at the 89:16 mark.

The Lions took a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute on some crafty passing in close as well. Christopher Sanchez (SO/Santa Ana, CA) started the sequence popping a ball straight up into the air, allowing Ronco to settle under and head to Alvayero. Alvayero took two nifty touches with the second going straight to Jesse Gonzalez, whose pass found Ronco sneaking unmarked around the six for a goal inside the right post.

However, the lead was short lived as The Master's tied the score a little over three minutes later. Martino sent a pass out wide right to Aidan Rhode, who hit a perfect cross into the middle of the box. Chavez made a long run and snuck in behind the VU defense as his header from inside the six found net.

Rhode wiggled his way inside the box for another dangerous header, but this time his attempt in the 71st minute sailed over the crossbar.

The Lions also had a major chance to retake the lead in the 79th minute as Doherty hit a hard shot that deflected off Bensend. Doherty followed the rebound and struck another shot that went wide left.

Each team threatened to score in the first half, but both times missed by just inches.

In the 12th minute, Alvayero sent a beautiful through ball across the midline and to a streaking Nathaniel Gomez (JR/Dominguez, CA), whose shot hit the right post.

The Mustangs countered in the 29th minute when Martino whipped in a bending ball that clanged off the crossbar.

Why Is It Important?: Despite the loss, the Lions are still in a good spot to host a first round game in the GSAC Tournament. The Lions are currently seeded fourth and would host the fifth seed if the season ended today. But two regular season games still remain.

What's Next?: Vanguard hosts Life Pacific on Thursday, October 27 at 3:30 p.m.