LA MIRADA, Calif. – For the first time since 2016, Vanguard and Biola faced off on a cold night at Al Barbour Field. The Eagles led after scoring their fastest goal of the season in the 11th minute and added a second after 68 minutes played. Kaitlyn Currier's fourth goal of the campaign in the 86th minute would bring the Lions close to claiming a point, but the comeback was cut short as Biola ended the Pacific West Conference matchup with a 2-1 result.
Vanguard dropped to 2-8-2 and 1-5-2 in league play, but the Blue and Gold snapped their five-game goalless drought. Biola improved to 4-7-4, 4-4 in the PacWest as they finished their last homestand of the year with a win.
Alyssa Fong provided her fifth career assist and ended the contest level with Kennedy Cypher for a game-high four shots. Defender Celeste Kiernan had two shots, finding one on target. Despite trailing the full 90 minutes, the Lions outshot the Eagles 15-7 overall, 11-5 in the first half. VU also arrowed five shots on target to BU's three and led in corner kicks 7-2.
What Happened?: Avery Hanhauser began her first career start with a powerful shot down the mouth of the BU net inside the opening minute. The Lions fired three more times before conceding, as Fong's effort was blocked, Jena Howard's strike missed high and Rachel Penick's touch was tethered by the Eagles' keeper.
Biola opened the scoring after a shot outside the box was parried by Jordin Holmquist-Wilder but pounced on by Marije Rechin for her sixth goal of the season. Vanguard collected more chances from Cypher and Kiernan, as the Blue and Gold attacked second balls from set pieces. But Biola ultimately dampened the sting with numbers behind the ball, frequently blocking shots and preventing clear Lion opportunities.
VU gained ground in a slower-paced second half but could not capitalize as Fong came closest with a 60th-minute slash just wide of the bottom right corner. The Eagles made it 2-0 after a ball seeped out to the top of the box and was caught sweetly by Peyton Nelson to kiss off the bottom left of the side netting.
Vanguard found a lifeline late in the half after Audrey Swanis battled on the right wing to keep the ball alive for VU. Fong turned and beamed the ball into the box, as Currier's connection would cap off the scoring for the evening.
What's Next?: The Blue and Gold return to action at Menlo on Thursday, October 31 at 4:00 p.m.
