COSTA MESA  -- After picking up win number two of the season on Friday, Vanguard women's soccer was back in action on Labor Day against Midland (Neb.).  The Lions got the first goal off a converted penalty kick, earned and taken by Rachel Penick, but Midland was able to equalize and the teams settled for a 1-1 draw.  VU goes to 2-0-2 and the Warriors go to 2-2-1.
 
What Happened?  The first half did not offer many chances and of the five total shots taken by both sides, none troubled the starting goalies.  Midland had the better start to the contest and peppered in two corner kicks within the first 10 minutes, but the Lions dealt with the crosses.  Alyssa Fong had the first shot of the game but it was blocked, and Celeste Kiernan's attempt about a minute later was grabbed by Hannah Tillison.  Jordin Holmquist-Wilder had one save in the 35th minute that came right to her mid-section on a shot from 20-plus yards away.  Neither side could generate great offensive passages of play as the half moved along and the score would remain 0-0 after 45 minutes of action.  VU did have three of the five shots of the half and each goalie made one save.
 
The Lions looked more confident coming forward to start the second half, with Avery Collins pelting the first shot of the new period away five minutes in, but Tillison stood tall and made the stop.  The Blue and Gold were able to deliver passes more effectively over the next few minutes and the team's persistence paid off in the 56th minute.  Penick picked up a pass inside the box on the right side and she slipped around a defender to get to the end line.  She turned for the goal but just two steps later she was taken down by the defender from behind, with the referee giving the foul.  Penick wanted to finish what she started and she booted the free kick into the right half of the net as Tillison dove the other way to send Vanguard ahead 1-0 Vanguard.
 
The Lions did not let a lead interrupt their good form, but the Warriors started to conjure up some attacking phases almost 10 minutes later.  Midland turned that progress into a goal in the 68th minute as a shot from deep was saved by Holmquist-Wilder.  Unfortunately, the rebound fell right in front of her and Aminata Lewis chipped the loose ball over her and into the net to level the match at 1-1.
 
Even though the shot total tripled in the second half, there would be only a couple of good scoring chances for each side.  Midland's best chance came when the guests had a shot hit the post and the rebound attempt shank off the cross bar.  Meanwhile, Penick and Kaitlyn Currier each had shots saved by Tillison as the Blue and Gold could not punch home another goal.  Holmquist-Wilder made one more easy save in the 83rd minute and despite some urgency from both sides, no one could get a clean shot way over the final five minutes.
 
Not only did the game end tied at 1-1 but both sides had 11 total shots.  Tillison made six saves and Holmquist-Wilder made three.  The Warriors had a slight 3-2 edge in corner kicks for the game.  Penick and Kennedy Cypher each had two shots to lead VU.

What Was Said?  "The team did well to create a PK," said Head Coach Emily Reynolds.  "Rachel put it away brilliantly and we are looking forward to putting in some good work this week to prepare for our road trip."
 
What is Next?  The biggest test of the year so far is up next for VU, as the squad will fly to Indiana and take on preseason #14 Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday, September 9, at 11:00 a.m. PST.