COSTA MESA—Saturday afternoon made for an atypical showdown as Vanguard women's soccer (2-3-1) faced a Pacific West Conference opponent in Concordia (5-1-1) for a non-conference matchup. Despite the unorthodox timing of their clash on the team schedule, neither program held back, as a tactical tussle between the two sides made for an inviting spectacle. In the end, VU fell 2-0, as CUI capitalized on a Lion error at the back to open the scoring in the fifth minute and closed the scoring in a similar fashion in the 88th minute of play.

Duo Alanna Heem and Kate Burns had the credit for VU's shots on goal. The Blue and Gold totaled two in the match to CUI's three. The Lions also narrowly trailed in total shots (7-6 CUI) but forced more saves from the visitors (2-1 CUI) across the 90 minutes.

What Happened? CUI scored through Bella Barrett inside five minutes from the opening kick. The CUI front three had numbers around the ball and a VU giveaway at the back left Barrett with room to run at the defense. The junior raced past her mark to create the one-on-one with Olivia Weidner, then dragged the ball back to her right boot, slotting the ball past the freshman for the 1-0 CUI lead.

Despite the early goal, the Lions looked far more settled after conceding. They grew into the half to keep the visitors on the backfoot and eventually lead in shots 4-2. Their first shot was an attempt through the midfield from Rachel Penick, but CUI's numbers around the senior kept the effort in check with a block.

Sydney Powell also created problems for CUI throughout the match, utilizing a physical edge against her mark to keep VU dangerous on the right. In the 29th minute, she broke through with a sturdy recovery tackle, slotting the ball from the right into the path of Heem. The sophomore clipped the ball to the back post, but the CUI keeper kept her hands on the floated strike.

Burns forced the second save from CUI in the latter stages of the half. Coming off the Lily Fama throw-in in the 39th minute, Burns danced past three defenders before ripping a shot at the top of the box, which produced a save to the bottom right. Four minutes later, Kennedy Cypher would notch the last shot of the half, with a thumping shot from well outside the box, which rose over the bar.

The Golden Eagles won the second half 5-2 in shots. While playing largely in VU's half, they only carved open two clear chances in the frame as both teams were tactically tied up in the middle of the park.

One minute from kickoff, CUI found space in the gap from the wing, crossing the ball in the heart of the penalty area. CUI's Hailey Havican met the ball, but struck the hit off the woodwork with the follow-up effort parried away by VU for a corner kick.

Weidner made her only save of the afternoon in the 71st minute with Havican connecting with Mya Stice for a quickfire shot in the box. Weidner dove early, blotting the ball away from the bottom right corner of her near post.

The closing 15 minutes saw VU advance in CUI's half on many occasions, but they never did quite combine for a clear goal-scoring opportunity. In the 87th minute, Powell and Penick linked two passes to squeeze the ball across the 18-yard line toward Avery Hanhasuer, whose shot was blocked.

CUI immediately broke on the counter down their left-hand side to make the most of the stretched-out Lions. Alone in a one-versus-one, center back Kalena Yamashita defended beautifully, but VU's collective team effort to clear the ball afterwards fell right to CUI's Ella Soleau, who tucked in the decisive second goal.

What's Next? The 2025 PacWest schedule officially begins for women's soccer as they host Jessup on October 4, at 10 am.