Monterey Times

Vanguard University Athletics issued the following announcement on Oct. 14.

The Vanguard women's soccer team competed against the Oaks of Menlo on Thursday afternoon in Golden State Athletic Conference Action.  While VU played at a good tempo and outshot Menlo, the offense could not unlock the defensive box of the Oaks over the 90 minutes of action.  A miscue in the back end was all MC needed to score and the Oaks ground out the rest of the contest to win 1-0.  Vanguard falls to 4-7-1 overall and 1-4 in the GSAC, while the Oaks move up to 8-1-2 overall, 2-1-1 in the conference, and into third place.

What Happened?

The Lions were bailed out early on, as a shot saved by Ashley Levi (FR/Brentwood, CA) bounced back towards the open net but Maleah Vasquez (SO/Fontana, CA) slid in to keep the ball out of the goal.  The Lions had to defend more over the next few minutes but the squad finally stabilized the situation and began to grow some confidence in the match.

Kelsey Bryant (SR/Apple Valley, CA) almost beat the backline in the 15th minute but the Oaks did enough to halt her progress and the resulting shot failed to challenge Menlo goalie Michelle Gonzalez.  Ayanna Suarez (SR/Indio, CA) had a great chance to put a goal on the board just past the 20th minute, as Gonzalez kicked the ball right back to #7.  However, Suarez put the shot high of the goal and the game remained scoreless.

Both sides seemed evenly matched but a lucky bounce got the Oaks on the board.  A bad hop off a foot allowed Ally Salzwedel to pick up a loose ball a drive in unopposed, as the striker snuck it past Levi to put the home side up 1-0 in the 37th minute. Allie Griffith (SR/Aliso Viejo, CA) tried to get VU level as the half came to a close, putting up three shots, two on goal, over the final 15 minutes, but nothing got past Gonzalez.  Vanguard outshot the Oaks 7-3 in the half but entered the second period down a goal.

The Blue and Gold started strong in the second half, as the lineup put up two shots in three minutes, but Gonzalez stopped one and the other was blocked.  Back-to-back corner kicks in the 52nd and 53rd minutes did not produce a shot, as Menlo remained steady in their own end.

The chances dried up for either side through the middle part of the second half, with the midfield clogged with players from both sides.  VU made some strides down the flanks but they could not deliver that many quality crosses into the middle of the box.  The Lions earned another corner kick in the 76th minute but the cross hit a Menlo player and then the crossbar before going behind the goal.  A good cross fell for Madelyn Diaz (JR/San Clemente, CA) in the 80th minute but her half-volley also went over the goal.

The Lions turned up the intensity just past the 80th minute, as the squad threw bodies forward in an attempt to tie the game.  A great cross from Payton Siurek (JR/Temecula, CA) gave a chance for Diaz but she again sent it over the bar.  Levi kept the team alive in the 87th minute by making a good save, as she came off her line to deal with the cross and then had to scramble back to grab the loose ball.  However, despite all the probing attacks made, the Oaks held their fort and ran out the clock to win 1-0.

Vanguard outshot the hosts 13-7 and 6-5 in shots on goal.  VU also had a 4-1 edge in corner kicks for the game.  Suarez had four shots to top the team, with Griffith next with three.  Diaz added in two.  Levi made three saves on the day.

Why is it Important? It is the first victory for Menlo all-time against Vanguard.  VU now sits in eighth place in the conference and will need to win out and get a little help to finish sixth or above and get in the GSAC tournament.

What's next? Vanguard will take on William Jessup on Saturday, October 16, at 11 a.m.

Original source can be found here.