COSTA MESA – Vanguard men's soccer was in complete control over the Providence Christian Sea Beggars on Wednesday afternoon in a rescheduled nonconference contest from September. The Lions punctuated their offensive display with eight goals, the most since a 10-1 win against Alliant International University on September 25, 2004. The Lions also put their name high on record list with 42 shots in the game. Vanguard improves to 5-3-1 overall and the Sea Beggars drop to 1-6-1.

The Lions have touched six and seven goals in more recent history, with a 7-1 decision over Saint Katherine on September 5, 2022, being the most recent. 

Both Donald Kiernan and Austin Tubbs had two goals in the game and Kiernan also tallied an assist for a five-point day. Senior Alex Felix picked up his first win of the year and touched the ball a few times in a game where he did not face a single shot.

What Happened?: It took only four minutes for the offense to develop a goal, with Lucah Flores driving down the right flank and making a cross that Kiernan blasted into the net. VU piled on four more shots over the next five minutes until Sidney Dina struck for the second goal of the game. The forward found a rebound off a blocked Niko Ochoa shot and spiked it into the back of the goal just shy of 10 minutes played.

VU made it 3-0 in the 27th minute as Anthony Medina benefited from a play made by Dina on the left side of the box. Dina kicked the ball towards the post and the Providence Christian goalie batted the ball to the middle of the box. Waiting in the right spot, Medina was only too happy to punch in the third Vanguard goal.

Despite garnering 23 shots in the first half, that would be it for the scoring in the period, as the Sea Beggars kept the Lions off the board until well into the second frame. But they could not repel the Blue and Gold forever.

The Lions deposited five goals over the final 15 minutes of the contest, with Aidan Doherty making it 4-0 in the 77th minute. The senior was able to find a little space outside of the box and dribbled past two defenders to finish off a lovely opportunity into the goal.

Just over three minutes later, Tubbs received excellent service from the far channel by Connor McCoy, as Tubbs stroked in the fifth VU tally with his right foot. Kiernan netted his brace on a loose ball that he pounced on in the 86th minute, as he made a scramble play in the box count for a 6-0 lead.

A minute later, Doherty made a cross from the right side of the field and Tubbs got up and under it with his head to fire the ball into the top of the twine to make it 7-0. Insult to injury made it 8-0, as a scrum with three seconds to go saw the Sea Beggars deflect the ball into their own net, making the final score 8-0.

The Blue and Gold had all the offense in the game, with 42 shots, 19 of which were on goal, and 14 corner kicks. Providence Christian's Mario Trujillo made 12 saves over 90 minutes while under constant siege.  Kiernan had a career day shooting, as he had 12 shots in all, of which five hit the target. Doherty and Tubbs had six shots each and Medina, Ochoa, and Anthony Hernandez-Perez all had four. McCoy had a commendable game running the right flank as a winger and offered multiple cross throughout the game.

What's Next?: While the offense may not be able to sustain the numbers seen today, the Lions would love to keep up the production against the rest of the Pacific West Conference. VU returns to league play on Saturday in a Senior Day meeting with Hawaii Hilo that starts at 11:00 a.m.