CLAREMONT, Calif. – Vanguard men's soccer got back to work Wednesday afternoon as the team took on Pomona-Pitzer in non-conference action. The Lions had been off for over a week but that did not stop them from keeping the positives from the win against Saint Katherine going. Vanguard put up two goals in the first half and added a late tally in the second half to post a 3-0 victory. VU improved to 2-0-2 overall while the Sagehens dropped to 1-2.

What Happened?

The Lions might have won the game, but the opening moments belonged to Pomona-Pitzer, who fired the first shot just inside of two minutes played. However, Edwin Monterrosa (FR/Los Angeles, CA) stepped up to make a comfortable save. Stewart Alvayero (SR/Los Angeles, CA) would post the first VU shot of the contest just into the fourth minute but it would miss high. Monterrosa would make another stop in the eighth minute and the Lions would then bash their way into the lead.

Alvayero got the ball in his own end and almost dribbled through a few defenders before he helped to recycle the ball back to the VU defense. The Lions worked it to Markus Garcia (JR/Corona, CA), who made a spirited run on the far side of the field before cutting towards the middle. He then made a pass to a wide-open Alvayero on the near side, just beyond the 18-yard box. The crafty forward soon had a defender close down on him but he pushed the ball to his right foot, fooled the Sagehen defender twice, and shot the ball from the top of the box into the net to put VU up 1-0 in the ninth minute.

Austin Tubbs (SR/Long Beach, CA) got the next open opportunity three minutes later, but he could not get his header on target. But that did not stop the offense. VU doubled the lead in the 24th minute, as Monterrosa started the passage of play by giving a goal kick to Harold Aguirre (SR/Long Beach, CA). The defender picked his head up and saw Robert Ronco (FR/San Diego, CA) starting to make a run against the Sagehen back line. Aguirre heaved it over the top with perfect pace, as Ronco chested it down and blasted his right-footed shot to the far side netting to make it 2-0 Vanguard.

Pomona-Pitzer started to find an offensive rhythm late in the half, as a couple of good movements created some holes in the VU rearguard. The most dangerous chance for the hosts came off a cross from the right side of the Sagehen attack, which was volleyed just wide of the net. 

That would do it for the action in the first half, as Vanguard took a 2-0 lead into the intermission. The Lions were outshot 5-4 in the frame and neither side had a corner kick. Monterrosa had three saves while Pomona-Pitzer had zero in the first 45. With a lead built but not completely secure, the Blue and Gold returned to the pitch with plenty to play for in the second half.

The Sagehens got the first corner kick of the game in the 52nd minute but VU turned the cross into a counterattack. Some quick passing led to a shot from Zachary Miramontes (SO/Fullerton, CA), but it went over the crossbar. His next strike five minutes later was on target but Will Brooks made the save for Pomona-Pitzer. The action moved to the midfield, with only a couple of chances coming as the minutes passed by. VU handled two Sagehen corner kicks in the 82nd minute and Vanguard then sprung its final attack.

The Lions got a corner kick in the 86th minute and the cross from Alvayero was brilliant, as Tyler Redmon (FR/La Verne, CA) snuck free at the near post and let his head direct the ball into the back of the net to put the contest away. The clock wound down and the Lions notched another 3-0 shutout to take the win.

Vanguard just outshot the Sagehens 8-7 and also narrowly edged them 4-3 in shots on goal. Pomona-Pitzer had a 3-2 edge in corner kicks. Miramontes and Alvayero each had two shots to lead the team, with four others posting one. Monterrosa made three saves and did not have to make one in the second half.

What was Said?

"We stayed connected within our lines and everyone worked hard," said Head Coach Jesus Miramontes. "We posted another shutout and the guys are starting to come together offensively. It was a solid performance from the entire team."

What's Next? 

The Lions will play La Sierra on Thursday, September 22, at 4:00 p.m.