HONOLULU, Hawaii-- Vanguard's first meeting with Hawaii Pacific since 1996 was a memorable one as the Lions claimed their first program win over the Sharks with a 3-0 result at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park on Thursday evening. The Blue and Gold kept a handle on things on both sides of the field, becoming the first team to hold the Sharks scoreless this season. They also managed a season-best three goals, despite a 0-0 scoreline at halftime.

The Lions take all three points to improve to 4-3-2 and 2-0 in the Pacific West Conference. HPU lost at home for the first time this season and dropped to 5-2-2, 2-2 in the conference.

Bryan Ortiz had the opener in the 53rd minute to place the visitors in front and net his first collegiate goal. The Lions then put the game to bed in the 72nd minute, scoring two goals in two minutes, first through Alex Martinez and then from Juan Vazquez.

Vazquez has now scored three goals in three successive games, tying the best single player scoring streak since Robert Ronco and Stewart Alvayero in the 2022 season.

VU won shots (16-8), shots on target (8-7), and corner kicks (7-5).  Aidan Hay was stalwart in between the sticks, finding a career-best seven saves across the 90 minutes.

What Happened? The Lions led shots 7-2 in the first half, but only held a narrow 3-2 lead in shots on goal. The weather also played a factor, with the 84-degree atmosphere warranting water breaks for each sideline.

Both teams also struggled to hold onto possession in the opposing third, with the midfields repeatedly breaking up play, causing a physical strain for both sides to retain the ball high up the pitch.

The first strike on goal in the match was taken by VU's Shaun Im in the seventh minute. The chance sprouted from the remnants of a Lion free-kick attempt, with Im collapsing on the half-cleared ball and sending the shot over the bar.

Hawaii Pacific made their mark towards the goal primarily through set pieces and corner kicks. They started with a free kick from the left side, connecting on the header but snapping the finish wide past the back post. Their next real chance was directly out of the game's first water break, with another free kick taken from a similar position. This time, Hay was off his line, grasping the cross before it could meet a Shark head.

After a comfortable save down the middle in the 26th minute, Hay was back in action, this time launching a Lion counterattack. Hay split the lines with a hulking throw, steered toward Vazquez. The freshman swung the ball into stride for Adan Alvarado, who cracked one to the keeper's right to force the save.

The Lions outshot HPU 4-1 for the remainder of the half with a large sample of shots created by Luke Parker. The midfielder was a workhorse through the middle of the park and helped advance play and trigger opportunities with his dribbling ability. In the 27th minute, Parker charged his way on goal in a three-versus-three, setting up Tyler Williams in the box, for an effort that just glanced wide.

Everything opened up for the Lions in the second half, with Alan Leon taking a deep shot from right back within the opening three minutes. The ball was fired to the top right corner and required both hands from the HPU keeper to push out for the corner kick.

The Sharks went for goal a few minutes later, with one attack penalized for offside and another cross attempt nearly catching Hay wrong-sighted.

Once again, Hay started the attack, with the keeper this time lighting the sparks toward to the opening goal. VU brought the ball down the right flank and ripped in a dangerous cross. Ortiz was opportunistic with the trailing run to fire his first collegiate goal in the 53rd minute.

Despite a much higher volume of shots from the Sharks in the half, Hay was never forced into dire acrobatics. HPU's effort in the 68th minute was perhaps the most difficult for Hay to manage, with a counter-attack from the left requiring a stop to the keeper's right.

The Blue and Gold doubled their advantage in a similar fashion to the first goal. Robert Ronco received the ball on the right and drove into the grass ahead, slipping an inviting ball toward the middle of the box. The cross was handled loosely by the Shark defense, and Alex Martinez tapped into the ball to hand VU their second.

Vazquez almost scored the third on a counter-attack soon after. Anthony Medina sent Vazquez in alone on goal, but the midfielder's attempt to drag the ball back on his favored left boot cut off the angle to get the shot off.  

The Lions ended the game with a free kick close to the left wing in the 72nd minute. Kevin Abarca took the free kick short, sending Alvarado through toward the box. Alvardo beat his man and got the ball back on his right foot, firmly placing the shot through on goal. The Shark keeper got a hand to it, but couldn't hold on, as Vazquez crashed in late and nodded it in with a header.

What Was Said? "We played very well and created some great chances in the 1st half," noted Head Coach Jesus Miramontes. "We made some adjustments and the team responded with 3 great goals in the second half. This was a huge road win against a very good team." 

What's Next? Men's soccer continues its road trip with the league leaders, Hawaii Hilo, on Saturday, October 11, at 6 pm. (PST).