IRVINE, Calif. – Vanguard, the Pacific West Conference Team of the Week, was back in action Wednesday evening with a 2-1 win over Concordia at Golden Eagles Field. Alex Martinez made his mark with a tremendous finish in the 57th minute to open the scoring, and Luke Parker doubled the lead in the 78th minute. The game grew testy after CUI snagged a goal back just 21 seconds after the restart, but VU's command over the match could not be usurped, as the Blue and Gold walked away with all three points.

The Lions' first match at CUI since 2014 ends in victory, taking the Lions to 6-3-2 overall and 4-0 in the league. The Golden Eagles drop their second match of their five-game homestand, shifting to 5-5-1, 3-2-0.

Martinez's standout goal was his second of the year, with both coming during the current four-game road trip. Parker picked up his third goal of the season, and second in as many games. Vazquez and Parker each tacked on an assist for the first goal. For Vazquez, it was his first career helper and ninth point to set him as the team leader in total points. Parker's assist was his second of the season and cements his first multipoint game in his young career with the Blue and Gold.

The Lions led in shots (16-9), shots on target (8-4), and corner kicks 5-3. CUI's Sebastian Marin was forced into six saves, while the Lions required three stops from PacWest Defender of the Week Aidan Hay.

What Happened? The Blue and Gold led the half in shots 6-1 and never gave CUI much room to work with in the first 45 minutes. Parker had the first look of the match for the Lions, followed by a clipped shot from Shaun Im in the 18th minute.

The Lions had a dominant stretch entering the 20th minute, with back-to-back set-piece opportunities for Adan Alvarado. The midfielder's second attempt from the left side of the box was able to bend around the wall to the bottom left corner before it was grappled onto by the CUI stopper.

Ben Sieber almost had the breakthrough in the 26th minute with the right back starting the chance deep in Concordia territory. Sieber settled the ball and lifted it toward Juan Vazquez in the CUI box. Following the ball, Sieber made a trailing run toward the action and used the layoff from Vazquez to rip the shot to the top right corner. Marin scampered to his left and knuckled a fist to tip it over the bar.

Shots were split more evenly (10-8 VU) in the second half, but the Lions had firm control for the opening portion of the half, with the lone CUI early header coming straight down the middle for Hay to make the save. VU had two quickfire shots themselves, with another effort from Sieber and a combination from Robert Ronco and Vazquez in the 50th minute.

Martinez made the difference in the 57th minute with a stunning finish. The move started with Bryan Ortiz, who carried the ball from the left wing and sent the low, driven cross into the box. The ball missed the VU runner, but was passed on by Parker and Vazquez consecutively to steer to the far reaches of the 18-yard box.

Staring straight down the goal, Martinez opened up his body and swept a glorious high arching shot to the top right corner, making it 1-0 Vanguard.

CUI required attention 45 seconds after the goal, heading straight into the attack from kickoff. The Golden Eagles dribbled down the middle to make space for a shot, but VU's defense stuck out a critical block to send the attempt over the bar.

The Lions thought they had the second goal in the 61st minute with a header goal from a corner kick, which was soon disallowed. The threat once again sparked life from CUI, who broke on the counter, but struck their shot wide.

Like Alvarado in the first half, Kevin Abarca also had a look from a set piece. His 72nd-minute free kick from the right wing dipped late for Marin, who just touched it over the bar to keep the scoreline 1-0 VU.

Alvarado created the second goal five minutes later, linking up with Tyler Williams to settle on the right wing. Surrounded by two CUI defenders, Alvarado wedged past both with ease, firing in a ball to the box. Marin made a move to push it away, but inadvertently placed it on a platter for Parker, who caught it on the half-volley with his left foot into the side netting.

The Golden Eagles tried to cause chaos in the closing stages with a late goal. They responded just 21 seconds after the restart, after a VU defensive deflection in the box toward Hay was penalized as an illegal back pass, giving Concordia an indirect free kick at the 6-yard line of Hay's box. CUI couldn't miss from close range, burying the ball top right.

The home team would outshoot VU 3-1 in the final 12 minutes of the match, but their race for an equalizer was halted by a tough-nosed Lion defense.

What Was Said? "Wow. What a game," shared Head Coach Jesus Miramontes. "We went on the road again and got three huge points. Our guys worked hard and deserved the win. This group continues to get better defensively, and our attack is coming along."

What's Next? The final test of the four-game road trip awaits, with VU taking on the defending champions, Point Loma, on Saturday, October 18, at 2 pm.