SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – The first trip for Vanguard women's soccer to Kennelly Field at Dominican since 2000 did not end as planned for the Lions, as the Penguins picked up a 1-0 Pacific West Conference win. The Blue and Gold outshot their hosts 7-5 but Dominican had a 3-2 edge in shots on goal. DU scored in the 27th minute to secure the win and improve to 7-9-1 overall and 3-6 in league play. VU drops to 3-9-2, 2-6-2.
What Happened? The conservative contest saw
Alyssa Fong take a shot that almost broke the deadlock in the second minute, but DU keeper Natalie Haro made a save at the bottom right of the net. The Penguins got the next good chance, as
Jordin Holmquist-Wilder had to sprawl to her left to deny the home side the opening tally.
The shots dried up over the next 17 minutes and unfortunately, the difference maker was the next attempt on goal. Dominican earned a corner kick, Jenna Pevenage lofted her cross just to the top of the six-yard box, and Ashlynn Hill sent it home to put the Penguins up 1-0.
Dominican had two corner kicks and one more shot in the frame as the Penguins tried to double their lead, but Holmquist-Wilder did not have to make a save. VU was outshot 4-2 in the first period.
Down 1-0, the Blue and Gold upped their tempo and sense of urgency to outshoot the Penguins 5-1 in the second half. Fong collected a good attempt that was pushed wide by Haro two minutes into the new frame, but the Lions could not get a chance off the ensuing corner kick.
Avery Hanhauser launched a shot in the 65th minute but it curled wide of the frame. But that would be the last shot that the Lions could garner, as the Penguins knew hot to park the bus. The home side kept most of the action in the middle of the park and the foul count climbed, with DU netting eight and VU seven in the period.
Holmquist-Wilder made her only stop on an easy bouncing shot in the 77th minute, but though they pressed as best they could, the Lions could not unlock the DU defense.
Rachel Penick had two shots, one on target to lead VU.
What's Next? The season is somehow coming to a close for both soccer programs, as the Lions conclude the year against Concordia Irvine next Thursday. The men will play first and the women will celebrate their seniors before their 2:00 p.m. game.
