COSTA MESA – Cynthia Ramos slammed home her own rebounded shot in the 74th minute as The Master's handed Vanguard a 1-0 loss in Golden State Athletic Conference women's soccer action on Saturday at VU Soccer Field.
The Mustangs improved to 8-2-2 overall and 3-0-1 in the GSAC, picking up three points to overtake first place in the conference standings. The Lions dropped to 5-2-4 on the season and 1-1-1 in GSAC play.
Down two starters due to injury, the Lions lost two additional starters to various ailments early in the match, and the Mustangs eventually took advantage after ramping up the pressure in the second half.
TMU outshot the Lions by a 12-7 margin, including 9-3 in the second half.
Junior keeper Jordin Holmquist-Wilder kept the Lions afloat with a couple of brilliant saves to deny TMU goal opportunities, finishing with three stops on the afternoon. Her counterpart, Autumn Jensen, made two saves to secure her seventh shutout.
What Happened?: The Mustangs came out on the offensive to start the second half, as Ellie Radmilovich tested Holmquist-Wilder in the first minute with a point blank shot in the box. Holmquist-Wilder reached back and poked the ball away for the incredible save.
VU averted danger again less than four minutes later when Sinclair Francescon's offering pinged the left post.
Francescon burrowed deep into Lion territory and her shot from close range was denied by Holmquist-Wilder in the 58th minute.
The Mustangs continued to attack and nearly broke the stalemate in the 73rd minute as Radmilovich's header on the VU doorstep missed wide right.
However, TMU did not wait much longer to find the goal. Ramos dribbled free on the left side of the box and unleashed a shot that banged off the crossbar. The rebound rolled directly to Ramos, who slammed the follow up to the lower right corner.
TMU went into defensive mode thereafter and did not take a shot the remainder of the game. The Lions played valiantly without starters Celeste Kiernan and Rachel Penick, as well as losing key contributors Takara Kiesel and Bethany Urrabazo in the first half.
Francesca Lindstrom provided the best scoring opportunity for the Blue and Gold as her attempt veered wide right in the 87th minute.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions were shutout for just the second time this season. VU had scored multiple goals in each of its previous five games.
What Was Said?: "When the injuries came, we needed players to step up, especially on the back line, and they did just that," said Head Coach Emily Reynolds. "I'm proud of our squad for continuing to fight through the adversity. Now we turn our focus to the next game and are looking forward to another chance to fight together."
What's Next?: The Lions return home to face Menlo on Thursday, October 19 at 3:30 p.m.
