COSTA MESA – Men's soccer welcomed Dominican to Costa Mesa for the first time in a high-scoring 5-2 win at the VU Soccer Complex Thursday afternoon. VU led 3-0 inside the opening 20 minutes, but the Penguins slimmed down the deficit to 3-2 heading into the halftime break. It was the duo of Tyler Williams and Adan Alvarado that helped reestablish the gap, as the pair each bagged their first career brace to grant the Lions a vital three points.

The Blue and Gold's win in the penultimate game of the regular season puts them at 8-4-4 and 6-1-2 in the Pacific West Conference. The Lions could clinch a PacWest postseason spot depending on results tonight across the league, but their victory ultimately ensures they can control their own fate in Saturday's fixture against Menlo. Dominican is officially out of postseason contention, as they drop to 5-9-1, 3-5-1.

In his third career start, Williams played in a season-best 42 minutes, with his two goals taking him to three total in his freshman campaign.

Alvarado collected his third multi-point game of his career to climb up to eight goals on the season, which is sixth best in the league. He is also sixth in total points in the PacWest with 20. The sophomore has seven goal involvements in his last five games.

What Happened? Williams scored the first and final goal of the match as the Lions scored within the first three minutes. VU dispossessed the Dominican in midfield and led the charge through Alvarado. Carrying down the middle of the field, Alvardo slipped the pass to his right for Williams, who controlled the chance with his left foot, then thrashed the ball through the top of the net with his right foot.

The next goal for the Lions came seven minutes later, after Sidney Dina started a solo run from the Vanguard half. Dina held off his man before driving into the box, where he was eventually brought down to award Vanguard the penalty kick. Alvarado stepped up and launched the ball with power to the bottom left corner to double VU's advantage.

Though defensively off-balance, Dominican were far from shut out going the other way in the first 45. They opened the match playing tidy, technical football in midfield, involving their wingers to create three chances in between VU's goals.

Their problems in defense, however, continued to pile on. The Penguins could not cope with VU's direct ball over the top, as well as repeated runs in between the center backs from Niko Ochoa.

Ochoa, who was bright in the first half, eventually saw his hard work pay off in the 19th minute to hand VU their third goal. Robert Ronco, who checked on just 32 seconds earlier, won the ball on the press to launch the attack. Ronco sliced in a through ball from the left wing, as Ochoa peeled off his mark to approach the Dominican goal. The Penguin keeper tried charging off his line, but Ochoa rounded him with ease, striking the ball into the open net for 3-0. It was Ochoa's first goal of the season and sixth of his career.

Despite leading by three goals, VU were placed on the back foot in the remaining 25 minutes of the first half. Dominican's grip on possession grew, as did their command of the middle of the park. The Lions were left chasing in midfield and struggled to stay organized in the closing moments of the first half.

DUC pulled one back in the 29th after the Penguins pounced on the scraps of a 50-50 ball in midfield. The visitors broke away through Cole Porter, who drove toward the box before slipping in a pass to Anthony Stainer, who required just two touches before fizzing the ball past Aidan Hay for his fourth goal of the season.

Goal number two for the Dominican was acquired in the 39th minute and came from a quality buildup from the back. The Penguins picked VU apart with six passes through the right wing, as a delicate through ball opened up the chance, for Sergio Laguna, poked it into the bottom right corner.

Halftime was an adjustment period for VU, who reassessed how to reassert control after Dominican's dominant spell to finish the first frame. They wouldn't have to wait long to reestablish their foothold as Alvarado was first to earn his brace in the 56th minute.

Dominican tried to clear a loose ball in their own final third, but the strike deflected off another Penguin, ricocheting toward goal to send Alvarado in on goal. The sophomore held his ground against the on-chasing DUC center back, using his body as a shield before rifling his shot hard and low past the goalkeeper.

The Lions' more organized, structured approach in the second half doused any chance of a Dominican comeback. VU also relied heavily on their substitutes, with showings from Connor McCoy, Michael Coury, and Ashton Ta-Tran among the standout performers who steadied the rhythm of the game in favor of the Blue and Gold.

Williams walked away with his first career brace in the 86th minute. Tyler Miramontes took the goal kick, which was floated into midfield and flicked forward off the head of Brian Silva. Alvarado settled and combined with Ochoa, who raced at the then back three of Dominican, squeezing a ball through to Williams. The freshman found space through the middle of the box and tucked it gently past the keeper to the bottom left corner.

What Was Said? "Made some changes in the lineup up top and they responded," started Head Coach Jesus Miramontes. "I was happy with our offensive performance. We made it interesting going into half time, but came out full throttle again. I was very pleased with the goals we scored. Let's see if we can finish it off on Saturday."

What's Next? VU will close the regular season on Senior Day against Menlo, Saturday, November 8, at 12:30 pm.