COSTA MESA – Women's soccer's 2025 home opener came with a 3-1 loss to Cal State LA at VU Soccer Field on Saturday afternoon. The Lions looked bright against the CCAA standouts for most of the match, but the Golden Eagle scoring blitz late in the first half ultimately sealed the defeat. Against the run of play, Cal State LA erupted in the 36th minute, scoring three goals in five minutes, which dampened a positive first period for VU. The Lions claimed a foothold in the match from Rachel Penick's perfect spot kick in the second half, but could not overcome the deficit.

The Blue and Gold drop to 1-2 overall, while the Golden Eagles now sit at 2-1-1.

Cal State LA led narrowly in total shots (11-9), but VU had the edge in shots on goal (5-4). They forced four saves out of Cal State LA's Kendyl Sumlin, with two coming in each half.

What Happened? Sumlin was called into action within 18 seconds of kickoff, after Penick's shot to the bottom right corner required a save to prompt a Lion corner kick. The game stayed in Golden Eagle territory for the majority of the next 20 minutes, as VU closed the gaps in midfield to keep Cal State LA disjointed in possession.

The Blue and Gold saw a cluster of chances come together after the introduction of Abby Grabowski from the VU sideline. The senior striker linked well with Vanguard's high-line and helped create an opening for Hailey Garvin and Kate Burns in the 25th minute, but the strike from Burns was sent over the bar. Two minutes later, Garvin had a go at goal herself, using a tidy cut at the right side of the box to scrape a shot just wide with her left boot.

The Golden Eagle goalscoring run started in the 36th minute, as Cal State LA's Jacqeline Marin lofted a shot to the top left corner, just out of the reach of Olivia Weidner to open the scoring. It was Marin's second goal of the season, and at the time, just the second shot of the contest for Cal State LA.  

VU almost grabbed one back straight from kickoff, as Grabowski clipped a low, hard shot toward goal, prescribing a kick save with the right leg from the Cal State LA stopper to keep the effort away.

The Golden Eagles doubled their lead in the 39th minute, with a clinical counterattack from the left side, leaving Kristin Mijares with an open angle on net. Their third goal was just 40 seconds later, after Delia Bocanegra broke through the left flank again, drilling the ball into the side netting for the solo goal.

The Lions still had fight coming out of halftime, with two more shots from Burns, one being blocked and another saved to Sumlin's right. A comeback seemed potentially in the cards after Penick was fouled in the box in the 58th minute. The senior buried a driven penalty-kick bottom left for her second goal of the season.

The VU momentum ended there however, as the Golden Eagles slowed down the game's pacing in possession and spewed out six shots unanswered, with one from Marin hammering off the crossbar.

Vanguard's final chance was in the 90th minute after Sydney Powell found a glimpse of space at the edge of the box. Powell opened up her hips to line up the shot, placing it just outside the top right corner and into the woodwork. Kennedy Cypher nearly cleaned up the scraps, but the shot was contained for Sumlin's last save of the game.

What's Next? The Lions will regroup for Thursday's home match against CSU San Marcos on September 18, at 3 pm.