CERRITOS, Calif. -- After a long drought of competitions, Vanguard women's wrestling returned to the mat Friday night against Cerritos College and Menlo.  The Lions would put up a valiant but fruitless battle against the Oaks, losing 41-6.  The Blue and Gold rallied and gave the Falcons, another first-year program, a spirited test.  However, VU could not earn a dual win on the night, coming up short 27-21. 

What Happened? Against Menlo, Marissa Ritchie (FR/Riverside, CA) was the lone bright spot, as she made a pin of Alejandra Corral in the 116-pound bout. 

Unfortunately, the rest of the results came in on the negative side.  Barbara Greenberg topped Norma Can (FR/Lakewood, CA) via a technical fall at 109 pounds.  River Todd (FR/Huntington Beach, CA) was bested by Alana Vivas in the 123-pound matchup.  Nevaeh Chambers (FR/Anaheim, CA) was pinned by Stephanie Chavez in the 130-pound bout, while Louisa Schwab took down Piper Hall (FR/Plymouth, PA) in the 136-pound meeting.  Desiree Jones blanked Mariz Soliman (FR/Lake Elsinore, CA) in the 143-pound matchup and Reyna Montenegro (FR/San Jacinto, CA) was pinned by Alexandra Lopez in the 155-pound dual. The 170-pound bout went to Nikita Dhaliwal, as she pinned Ireri Mares (FR/Selma, CA).  VU was also open at 101 pounds and 191 pounds.

The Lions were open at 101 pounds and the squad fell behind more, as Can was quickly out against Lucy Guadarrama in the 109-pound bout, losing 12-2.  Julie Garcia (FR/Ontario, CA) was then blanked by Alyssa Rodriguez in the 116-pound meeting 10-0, with Jade Cabrera (FR/Riverside, CA) losing to Jewelysa Funakoshi 12-2 in the 123-pound dual.  That put VU down 21-2 but the lineup then picked up three wins in a row.  Savannah Guzman (FR/Santa Ana, CA) toppled Andrea Gonzales with a pin in the 130-pound matchup and Kylee Wohlwend (FR/Riverside, CA) grabbed six points when Jaylene Martinez got injured in the 136-pound meeting.  Soliman pinned Savannah Valle in the 143-pound match, putting VU down one at 21-20 with four classes to go. 

But the fortunes turned, as Aine Drury pinned Jo Snider (SO/Huntington Beach, CA) in the 155-pound dual.  Lily El-Masri (FR/Novato, CA) got the Lions back in striking distance with a 10-0 technical fall win over Natalie Resendiz at 170 pounds, but VU was open in the 191-pound division, giving the Falcons a 33-25 dual victory.

What was Said?  "It's always fun to compete in front of a packed house," said Head Coach Joe Evano.  "I just want to say thank you to Downey High School for getting us all together to celebrate and grow women's wrestling here in California.  This Lions team is young and embracing the process of college wrestling."

What's next?  The Lions will be back in Cerritos tomorrow morning for the Cerritos Open, an individual event.