COSTA MESA -- Vanguard Athletics extends its appreciation to Shion Jahangiri for his service over the past four years in his return to VU.  The Associate Head Coach last year, Jahangiri tallied nine total years at Vanguard over two stints and helped the program gain new accolades during each stay.  He heads north to Los Angeles and joins the coaching staff of Loyola Marymount as an assistant coach.
 
"I want to thank Shion for all his hard work during his time here at Vanguard. I know God has some big things for him in the future.  He will be missed, and I want to wish him the best," said Head Coach Jesus (Chuy) Miramontes.
 
Jahangiri was instrumental in helping the Lions find success over the program's transition from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II.  The Lions had a positive record the past four seasons and never finished below fourth in the standings.  VU concluded its time in the Golden State Athletic Conference with a combined 19-7-9 overall mark and a 10-4-2 record in the Golden State Athletic Conference, with a 17-9-7 overall line and a 13-4-4 record over two years in the Pacific West.
 
The Blue and Gold was solid at both ends during its last two NAIA seasons and won the GSAC Tournament for the second time in a row in 2022.  VU was 30th in goals allowed in the NAIA and had a GAA of 1.15.  Yet it was not all defense that propelled the Lions to victory, as the squad ended third in the conference in goals (41), one back of first. With a 2.28 goals per game mark, VU was second in the GSAC with 15.8 shots per game.  VU had three All-GSAC players in 2022 and one NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in Andrew Robles, along with its final NAIA National Tournament appearance.  In 2023, the team made its final GSAC Tournament appearance and was 13th in the nation in goals allowed with a GAA of 0.93.  The offense placed fourth in goals (35) in the GSAC, scored two goals per game on average, and placed fifth in the league with 14.1 shots per game.  VU had four All-GSAC selections during its last call in the organization.
 
Turning the page to the NCAA, VU again relied on strong defense, with Jahangiri a key part to the Lions being near the top of the table in defensive metrics, including giving up the fewest goals in the league in 2024 (15).  The Blue and Gold placed sixth in shots in year one in the PacWest and scored 26 goals.  The lineup moved to sixth in goals with 33 in 2025 and was tied for second for the fewest goals allowed (22), two back of first.  The strong group play was further highlighted by Aidan Hay winning the PacWest Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2024 and 2025.  He tied for second in shutouts in 2024 and was third in goals-against average, while he led the conference in shutouts in 2025 and had the second-best GAA.  His individual success was supported by the rest of the defense, which in turn pushed VU to results above their preseason placement each year.   Hay was joined by defender Cooper Clark in year one in the new league on the All-Conference squad, with the goalie accompanied by three others on last year's honor roll.  The Lions finished in the top four both campaigns, and after moving through the provisional phase of the DII transition in 2024, appeared in its first PacWest Tournament last year.

In his first tour of duty with the Lions, Jahangiri was the goalkeeper coach for both the men's and women's sides from 2015-19, with two keepers netting All-GSAC selections and Haley Magana receiving an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention in 2016.  His flip to coaching came on the heels of playing his final season as a member of the men's team in 2014, where he helped the Lions reach the NAIA quarterfinals.