ATHERTON, Calif. – Vanguard women's soccer put the pieces together for a 3-1 performance against Menlo on Thursday at Wunderlich Field.

Celeste Kiernan opened the scoring within two minutes of the first half to earn her second career goal. Though Menlo equalized for a 1-1 score at the half, Jena Howard's second-half strike put VU back in front and Hailey Garvin ended any doubt with the Lions' third goal in the 85th-minute.

The Vanguard victory marked consecutive games with a goal for the first time this season and equaled the side's season-high for goals scored.

The impressive showing improves the Lions to 3-8-2, 2-5-2 in the Pacific West Conference. As for Menlo, its three-game win streak ended, dropping to 3-9-2 and 2-6-1 in league play.

Rachel Penick had two assists in a single match for the third time in her career, as the midfielder contributed to both of VU's first two goals. Kennedy Cypher found her first goal involvement of the season with an assist and had game-highs in shots (5) and shots on goal (3).

Sydney Powell, Alyssa Fong, and Francesac Lindstrom each tallied two shots for the contest. As a team, the Blue and Gold had a season-high in shots and shots on goal, with 21 for the match, and 10 testing the frame.

What Happened?: Kiernan opened the scoring in no time after Penick found her advancing run down the left side of the field. With no one to meet her, Kiernan glanced up, picked her spot, and cracked the shot from outside the box over the Menlo keeper and into the net.

The Oaks had a dangerous attack just six minutes later, with a bolt from outside the box forcing an awkward adjustment for Jordin Holmquist-Wilder, as Menlo could not send the deflection on target. Menlo's eventual equalizer came in the 29th minute from a corner kick, after a loose ball was finished by Haley Dunham for her fourth goal of the season.

Much like the first half, VU did not take long to score in the second, as they regained the lead within six minutes. Penick spun on a half turn in the midfield and placed a brilliant through ball over the top onto Howard's feet. It took Howard just three touches to finish the move, as the junior cushioned her fifth career goal into the bottom left corner. Despite its firm defensive structure, VU did not settle on the scoreline, as the Lions monopolized possession and pushed for a third goal. After Cypher's initial effort in the box was blocked, Garvin gave the Blue and Gold what they were hunting for as she gathered the rebound and grazed the ball across the turf for her second career goal.

What's Next? The season's final road game will take place at Dominican on Saturday, November 2, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m.