SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- Vanguard women's soccer played a tight contest with Cal State University San Marcos today on the road, but the Cougars swiped the match in the second half. Two goals from Brittany Brown sent CSUSM to a 2-0 win, putting San Marcos at 1-0-2 and VU at 1-3. The Lions have now conceded 10 goals across their first four games, the most in a four-game span since 2003.
What Happened? There was only one shot on target in the first half, which came from the hosting Cougars in the 27th minute, but
Grayton Normand made the stop. CSUSM also had the first shot of the game in the 13th minute, but Vanguard countered through
Kalena Yamashita, who had the first VU shot in the 25th minute, though her deep shot cleared the crossbar.
Aneala Sibayan had the other Vanguard effort, but it was blocked in the 41st minute to close the offensive action in the first half to conclude the tactical draw.
The second half opened with the game's first goal, as CSUSM used a deep ball down the left side to penetrate the Vanguard defense. A pass snaked back through the six-yard box was finished off by Brown to give San Marcos the lead. The Cougars generated more forward pressure after their goal, and in the 65th minute, a foul by a VU defender gave the hosts a penalty kick. However, Normand stopped the effort by diving to her left, lifting the bench and the squad on the pitch.
But all of that positivity evaporated about a minute later, as Brown dribbled across the top of the box and stroked home her second tally to secure the victory. VU had two shots in the second half, one from
Emily Wagner that the CSUSM goalie caught in the air, and one from Sibayan that forced the Cougar goalie to dive, but she still kept it out.
The Lions were outshot 7-4 in the game and 4-2 in shots on goal in the contest, but did have a 6-5 lead in corner kicks.
What's Next? VU returns for a Thursday match at 1:00 p.m. against Canadian side Simon Fraser.
