By Brian Roberts

10/07/09

VU Unseats Top-Ranked Lancers

Valles' 2nd goal

Foss had 4 saves

Couch takes free kick...

...that makes it 4-1

Costa Mesa, Calif. - Though they have flourished in the early part of the 2009 season, the ninth-ranked Vanguard Lions Women’s Soccer program had been looking for a signature win against a highly touted opponent. It certainly got that on Wednesday afternoon, as it took down the top-ranked team in the country, California Baptist, by a score of 4-1. The huge win puts Vanguard in fantastic position heading into the second half of the season, and boosts VU’s chances for a postseason bid.

The game itself lived up to the hype that had been built up, as the two talented teams took the field with determination and aggressiveness. California Baptist entered the contest sporting an undefeated record of 10-0-1, included a perfect 3-0 mark in GSAC play. To make matters worse for the home team, the Lancers had recorded nine straight shutouts in as many games. However, the ladies and coaching staff of VU would not be intimidated this evening, and the Lions competed with a quiet confidence.

Boasting a matchup of the top two defenses from the conference, CBU and Vanguard expected a defensive battle, which was the case in the first half. Those well-respected defenses did exactly what they were supposed to do, making it extremely difficult for either side to gain any offensive momentum. With two stellar goalkeepers in the respective nets, both Vanguard and Cal Baptist fed off the energy of their stoppers. Lion goalie Jill Foss did not see a shot while in goal in the first period for the home team, while California Baptist keeper Emily Evanson turned away the only two shots she faced.

Sophomore forward Gabriela Valles, recruited to provide an offensive spark for the Blue and Gold, did just that on Wednesday. After a stalemate first half that ended locked in a 0-0 tie, Valles had an opportunity for a penalty kick and made the most of it, beating Evanson for a 1-0 lead only three minutes into the second half.

The Lions would add to their lead just four minutes later, as Valles struck again. Charging from the left side, the quick forward beat Evanson once more from 12 yards deep in the box. With a 2-0 lead against the number one team in the country, it seemed as though the home team would back off and play a more defensive style of soccer. However, Valles wasn’t finished. Collecting the ball nearly 20 yards from goal in the 64th minute, the Mesa, Arizona native once again whipped the ball right past a charging Evanson, who was attempting to keep her unbeaten squad in the game. Valles’ hat trick propelled the Lions to a seemingly insurmountable lead of 3-0, and the victory looked to be within their grasp.

Lancer forward Fabiola da Silva tried her best to keep CBU in the ballgame, and took advantage of one of the only good offensive chances the visitors had, drilling a penalty kick right past Foss and into the back of the net. Nursing a 3-1 lead late in the contest, the Lions only needed to stave off any late rallies the Lancers could put together. Yet again, they did more than that. Freshman Amanda Couch crushed a free kick from 20 yards out on the left side, past the outstretched hands of Evanson and into the upper right-hand corner of the nylon. Couch’s fifth goal of the year was simply icing on the cake for Vanguard, as the Lions took down top-ranked Cal Baptist 4-1.

The loss drops the visiting Lancers to 10-1-1 on the season, and 3-1 in the GSAC. The VU win propels the Lions to a 3-1 record in conference play, and an 8-1 mark overall. VUSC’s victory should push them up the National Rankings, but it doesn’t get any easier from here. The Lions’ next two conference games are against ranked opponents, starting with No. 17 Concordia on Tuesday, October 13th. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. at CUI.

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