COSTA MESA – Golden State Athletic Conference soccer continued Saturday at Vanguard University, with women's soccer starting off the doubleheader against the Menlo Oaks.  The teams were scoreless at the break but a strike by Rachel Penick (FR/San Diego, CA) put VU ahead for good to help the Lions earn their third-straight 1-0 shutout.  Vanguard improves to 7-2-2 overall and 3-0 in conference action to take sole possession of first place in the standings.  Menlo drops to 5-3-1 overall and 2-1 in GSAC play.

What Happened?

The first 45 minutes did not see a ton of high-quality scoring chances despite each side having good spells of possession.  Vanguard did get the first crack at goal, as Kennedy Cypher (FR/Lake Tapps, WA) put a free kick towards the net, but it would continue to rise and head over the fence.  The Blue and Gold had a pair of corner kicks around the 10th minute but no clean shots could be launched at the twine.  Menlo would get its first shot in the 20th minute but it did not come close to the frame.  Jordin Holmquist-Wilder (SO/Temecula, CA) made her first save in the 23rd minute on a relatively easy shot.  She then made a good outlet that eventually led to a shot by Alyssa Fong (SO/Rescue, CA), but it was right at the Oak goalie.  Each side put up a few more shots over the final minutes of the half but neither goalie was truly tested, taking the squads to the halftime break tied at nil-nil.  VU had an 8-4 shot advantage in the first half. 

The second half got rolling and the Lions had a spring in their step, launching two shots within the first two minutes of the half starting.  Madeline Costa made one save for Menlo on Payton Siurek (SR/Temecula, CA) and then watched as Madelyn Diaz's (SR/San Clemente, CA) shot rolled wide.  More chances started coming in the 52nd minute, with Costa making another stop on Siurek.  Fong was played into the box shortly after that, with #4 breaking through the center backs for a scoring chance.  A defender made contact with her and she went down, with the referee awarding a penalty kick.  The game then halted as, sadly, one of the Oak defenders who went down in the scramble, needed medical attention for an injury to her arm.  Both athletic training staff helped her off the field, leaving Fong at the spot after a good chunk of time to think about her shot.  She stepped up and tried to hit the top-left corner of the net but Costa jumped to the ball and swatted it aside to keep the score level.

But it would not remain that way for long.  Fong headed a goal kick back towards the attacking end and Penick swooped in, collecting the ball with a nice juggling move.  She then pushed it right, across the top of the box, and launched a bending shot into the top-left corner of the net in for a beautiful goal.  Her seventh goal of the year vaulted Vanguard into the lead in the 57th minute.

The Lions had a couple more chances over the next few minutes but Costa and the Oaks continued to hold the line.  However, as the minutes ticked away, Menlo started to assert their desire to tie the game.  The Oaks got a couple of shots and corner kicks, and Holmquist-Wilder had some intense moments in the box, but the Oaks could not get anything past her.  Penick almost put the game to bed in the 72nd minute but her shot smashed the crossbar.  Menlo did not let that phase them and on came the Oaks, flinging attempts into the box.  However, the VU backline forced contested looks, with Holmquist-Wilder not having to make a save over the final 15 minutes.  The defense blocked the final deep shot attempt, keeping the shutout and earning the third 1-0 victory in a row to start conference play.

The Lions outshot the Oaks 13-6 in the second half and 21-10 for the game, pairing that with a 9-2 shot on goal advantage.  The Oaks had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks and each team had nine fouls for the game.  Fong had six shots and four on goal for the game to lead the team, with Penick and Cypher each netting four shots themselves.  Siurek and Diaz each had three shots.  Holmquist-Wilder made the two saves she needed to make.

Why is it Important?

The Blue and Gold are now 3-0 in GSAC play and are top of the table with nine points.  Westmont and OUAZ are tied for second with seven points.  VU improves to 7-1 all-time against the Oaks.  Penick is now third in the GSAC in shots, fourth in total points, second in assists, and fifth in goals.

What was Said?

"Today's PINK game was so meaningful for so many of our players who really took today's theme from Proverbs 31 to heart," said Head Coach Lauren Mascaro.  "We set out to achieve some very specific goals and the team was laser-focused on hitting those marks.  Ultimately, that played directly to us winning the game.  Every shutout win in the GSAC is a good one and we have a big road trip coming up next weekend."

"We played with so much heart today and I am so proud of this team for how far we have come," said Holmquist-Wilder.  "Our defense is always solid and our composure is what has got us these three-straight shutouts.  I am so excited to see what we come up with in the next couple of weeks."

What's Next?  The Lions will travel to the Arizona schools, beginning with a Thursday game against Arizona Christian at 5:45 p.m.