FRESNO, Calif. – Vanguard outshot Fresno Pacific in the PacWest opener for both teams at Ramirez Field, but the Sunbirds got goals from Nadia Flores and Gizelle Aguirre in a 2-0 victory on Thursday.
The Lions suffered their fourth shutout loss in five games to fall to 1-4-0 on the season. The Sunbirds moved to 2-2-2 after recording their fourth consecutive shutout.
Vanguard stepped up its offensive attack after a relatively quiet first half, outshooting Fresno Pacific 8-3 over the final 45 minutes. The Lions finished with a 10-9 advantage in shots, and forced FPU goalkeeper Monique Nevarez into five saves.
FPU had 12 fouls to VU's five.
Kennedy Cypher took a team-high five shots while playing all 90 minutes for the Blue and Gold. VU keeper Jordin Holmquist-Wilder made three saves.
What Happened?: Fresno Pacific came out as the aggressor, taking four shots within the first 13 minutes as Holmquist-Wilder collected a pair of saves.
Vanguard's best chance occurred in the 22nd minute as Cypher carried the ball on a long run up the left side, unleashing a hard shot which Nevarez deflected away.
The Lions settled in defensively and did not allow an FPU shot for over 20 minutes. However, an FPU throw-in bounced off a VU defender and trickled over to Flores, who settled the deflection and floated her shot into the upper right corner for a 1-0 lead at the 33:10 mark.
Aguirre nearly made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute as her attempt veered just right of the goal.
After getting outshot 6-2 in the first half, the Lions got more aggressive and began creating quality chances. The first came in the 60th minute when Jena Howard's cross found Bethany Urrabazo, who hit a hard shot from just inside the center of the 18. But Nevarez blocked the attempt with her foot.
Rachel Penick maneuvered into close range in the 63rd minute, but her attempt was blocked by an FPU defender.
Then, in the 68th minute, the Lions appeared poised to score the equalizer as Alyssa Fong's through ball connected with Francesca Lindstrom. Her shot flew just over the crossbar, perhaps an inch or two from grazing it.
With 10 minutes remaining, Penick threaded a nifty pass to Fong. Nevarez reacted quickly and smothered Fong's shot before she could find the right angle.
The Sunbirds collected an insurance goal with just under eight minutes remaining. Holmquist-Wilder made a terrific save at close range on Mackenzie Madron's liner, but the rebound squirted straight to Aguirre. She deposited her shot into a wide open net toward the lower right corner.
VU was unable to generate any further opportunities from there.
What Was Said?: "We created a lot of chances in the second half but just weren't able to finish," said Head Coach Emily Reynolds. "We are a work in progress and we're confident the goals will eventually come."
What's Next?: VU faces Jessup on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Rocklin.
