COSTA MESA – The Vanguard women's soccer program began the 2022 journey Saturday by facing Soka University.  While Vanguard had the majority of the attacking chances, VU could not muster a winning goal and drew 1-1 with Soka.  Both Lion teams will start 0-0-1 on the season.

What Happened?

Both squads worked the ball around the pitch over the first 15 minutes but there was only one good chance in the early going.  A low, bouncing ball from the wing led Payton Sak (JR/Henderson, NV) in on goal but Soka goalie Mackinzie Stenstrom got to the ball first, denying Sak a shot by less than a second. 

The Lions continued to hold possession and were able to pass well enough up the field, but they could not generate a good shot.  VU finally got the first corner kick of the match in the 22nd minute and Faith Hunt (JR/Yorba Linda, CA) delivered a quality cross.  The ball bounced off a few people and fell for Kennedy Cypher (FR/Lake Tapps, WA), but the slightly off-balance volley went across the front of the goal and missed wide.  Two minutes later, Alyssa Fong (SO/Rescue, CA) was left unmarked and hefted a good strike at goal from beyond 20 yards, but it did not beat Stenstrom.  Celeste Kiernan (JR/Las Vegas, NV) and Fong each got one more shot away for the Blue and Gold but Stenstrom made the save against Kiernan, and Fong's second attempt of the day missed the net to the right.

Vanguard had a 2-0 edge in corner kicks and a 4-0 lead in shots, but the teams went to the break with no goals on the board. 

VU looked more energized at the start of the second half, playing almost exclusively in the Soka end.  Another ball worked wide was eventually pushed into the penalty area and Sak got to the ball first.  Her first shot attempt was blocked and her rebound attempt missed the right post by a small margin.  Soka was hanging on but Vanguard was able to find the breakthrough in the 56th minute.  Stenstrom put her leg into a goal kick but it did not carry that far.  Payton Siurek (SR/Temecula, CA) chested the ball down, took two dribbles, and unloaded a laser that found the top corner of the net for an emphatic opening goal of the year.

VU kept the pressure on and got the next corner kick but could not get a shot away on the set piece.  The resulting clearance sprang a Soka player down the right side and Kiernan raced to get back in front of her.  The Soka attacker entered the box and pivoted back to the middle.  In the process, the referee believed that the trailing arm of Kiernan pulled her off the ball, awarding a penalty kick to Soka.  The 50/50 call went against the Lions and Soka had Mallorie Barteua take the penalty.  She stepped up against Jordin Holmquist-Wilder (SO/Temecula, CA) and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net to level the game at 1-1 just four minutes after the Siurek goal.

VU shook off the controversy and tried to pull out a winning goal.  Madelyn Diaz (SR/San Clemente, CA) had a great chance in the 63rd minute, as she got a little time and space and let fly with a mid-range shot, but it was saved.  The team tried working both sides of the field and got a couple of corners but could not get a clean look at goal.  Holmquist-Wilder made a couple of routine saves and tried to get the ball back to the forwards.  But as time wound down, Soka began to compact their shape and focus on defense.  Fong launched two shots from deep, one off of a free kick, but neither had the spin to beat Stenstrom.

Despite the good effort and the good form of play, VU could not get a goal and had to leave with a 1-1 draw.  The Blue and Gold outshot Soka 11-3 and 5-3 in shots on goal.  VU had a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks and Soka led the way with 15 fouls, with VU picking up 12.  Fong paced the lineup with four shots, three on target.  Cypher had two shots as did Sak.  Holmquist-Wilder made two saves.

Why is it Important?

This is the first tie under the new collegiate soccer rules adopted by the NCAA and the NAIA, with no overtime for regulation games.  It is also the first time VU has not beaten Soka in the 10-game series between the two programs.

What was Said?

"The chances were definitely there today, we just couldn't put that second one away," said Head Coach Lauren Mascaro.  "I am happy with the progress we're making, even since our scrimmage on Wednesday, but we need to be more lethal in the final third.  Siurek's goal was a beautiful shot and I'm excited for what doors that could open up for her senior year."

"I am proud of the team for how hard we've been working, so to see it turn into a goal is an amazing feeling.  We're just getting started and I can't wait for this season," said Siurek.

What's Next?

Vanguard will be playing Trinity Christian at home on Monday, August 22, at 11:00 a.m.  The Trolls bested OUAZ 2-1 in a thrilling game later on Saturday, setting up a very exciting contest for Monday.