By Beth Renkoski
10/24/09
Lions Break Even in Fresno
Fresno, Calif--- Playing into overtime for the third time in the last four games, the No. 5-ranked Vanguard Lions settled for a tie game for the second time this year. Making the long trip to Fresno, the Lions were unable to hold a 2-0 lead and after 110 minutes of play exited the field with a 2-2 against the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds.
The visiting Lions took a 1-0 lead 28:16 into the contest as sophomore Gabriela Valles notched her team-leading-10th goal of the season, with junior Karri Currier and Danielle Dintino recording an assist on the play.
With less than five minutes left in the first period, the Lions struck again. Currier, and Kristin Thuve assisted on VU’s second goal as senior Heather Mauck took a through ball and launched it into the right side of FPU’s goal for a commanding 2-0 lead.
Out-shooting the Sunbirds 11-7 in the first half, the Lions had only three shots on goal during that time with one save going to FPU goal keeper Catherine Michaelis. VU’s senior keeper Jill Foss collected three saves in the opening frame and one each of the next three periods for the Lions.
However, FPU’s final shot of the first half would get by Foss to cut VU’s two-goal advantage in half.
Leading 2-1 at the half, the Vanguard defense held strong through the majority of the second half. Running out of time, the host Sunbirds finally cracked through the Lion defense with just 2:41 left to play in regulation. Ashley Sherr found the bottom left corner of VU’s goal to tie the game 2-2.
Playing through two overtime periods, neither team could capitalize on their opportunities and time ran out with the score still knotted 2-2.
Fresno moves to 9-4-1 overall and sixth place in GSAC with a 4-3-1 conference record.
The Lions remain in second place in the conference standings with a 5-1-2 GSAC record and an overall mark of 11-1-2. Vanguard has two regular season games remaining, including a trip to Biola on Tuesday evening. The No. 5 Lions will take on the Eagles at 7:00 p.m. in La Mirada.
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