COSTA MESA - In their first meeting since the 2014 NAIA Opening Round, Vanguard topped Cal State San Marcos with a 2-0 win at VU Soccer Field on Thursday afternoon. Both teams tempered humid winds in the first half, but it was VU who led at the break with Abby Grabowski's first goal for the Blue and Gold in the 11th minute. In the second half, CSUSM mustered a dominant window to threaten the equalizer, but Kaitlyn Currier's header for her sixth-career goal in the 77th minute secured the win for the home side.

The Lions break a two-game skid to sit at 2-2. The Cougars are shut out for the first time this season and drop to 1-1-2.

The Cougars outpaced VU in shots (11-7) and held a slight lead in shots on goal (4-3) and corner kicks (5-4).

Sydney Powell and Currier led the Blue and Gold with two shots each. Kennedy Cypher and Kate Burns each supplied an assist in the win for their first and second points of the season, respectively. Olivia Weidner tallied her second career shutout with four saves.

What Happened? VU were well settled into possession when Grabowski grabbed the opener. The move started at the back with Weidner from a goal kick, as the Lions strung seven passes together to break the Cougar block in midfield. Burns slipped the eighth Lion pass toward Grabowski, who snaked past two defenders at the edge of the box before sliding the ball to the bottom right corner of the net.

It was Grabowski's first goal since transferring to VU last season, and 10th overall in her career.

The next 20 minutes of the half were comfortable for the Blue and Gold, despite being outshot 3-0 over the stretch. The Lions were well in control of possession, and the Cougars could not find a clear-cut opening to test the VU goal.

CSUSM finally found its footing with a cluster of substitutions in the 36th minute to settle back into a 4-4-2 formation. Just one minute later, they began their hunt on the press, carving a solid look on goal through a VU giveaway. CSUSM's Danielle Paulson beamed a shot to the top left corner, but Weidner deflected the effort with her right fist for a corner kick.

The visitors' well-crafted window of danger from the first half trickled into the second, as the Cougars were on the front foot for the opening stages of the period. They continued to lurk on the press and committed extra numbers in midfield to stay baleful on the break. They nearly had the answer in the 49th minute after a long throw-in resulted in a free header at the back post. CSUSM's Addison Leite nodded one off the post, and the frantic follow-up effort on the open net was blocked by Avery Hanhauser.

The Blue and Gold were composed amid the pressure and patient for their opportunity through the midfield. They wedged their opening in the 77th minute, as Burns released Cypher on the left wing. Cypher raced past her mark and floated an inviting ball to the back post, where an onrushing Currier crushed it off the forehead for the 2-0 win.

What's Next? It's a quick turnaround for the Blue and Gold as they host Colorado Christian on Saturday, September 20, at 11 am.