No. 4 Vanguard Edges Northwest in Overtime
LA MIRADA, Calif. – Vanguard’s Kayla Arenas scored one minute and 27 seconds into the second overtime as the No. 4 ranked Lions edged Northwest University, 2-1, this afternoon in a non-conference contest on Al Barbour Field.
The two teams battled to a scoreless first half as neither team could find the net and the goalkeepers closed the door with a total of 5 saves. It looked like the No. 4 Lions would get on the scoreboard early as they took 5 shots in the first 8 minutes of the game, but were turned away each time as NU goalkeeper, Patty Hughes had two saves. NU got their first scoring opportunity in the 12th minute when senior Jessie Oliver’s shot was saved by Lions’ keeper, Lauren Terry.
The second half would remain scoreless until the 70th minute when Vanguard’s Sarah Warner took a through ball and put it into the lower right corner of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. A little over nine minutes later (79:11), NU's Tiffany Taylor tied the score on an assist by teammate Acacia Johnson. The game would remain scoreless as the teams headed into overtime.
Northwest had the only two shots in the first overtime period but Rachel Saleen and Acacia Johnson’s shots were both blocked by Vanguard defenders.
It was Kayla Arenas who scored the game winner as a Lion pass was deflected off an NU defender and Arenas’ shot found the lower right corner of the net for the 2-1 victory at the 101:27 mark.
Northwest’s (0-2-0) goalkeeper Patty Hughes finished the day with 6 saves as Vanguard (1-0-0) outshot the Eagles 20-15. The Lions dominated on corner kicks with 10 to NU’s 3 and Lauren Terry earned the win in goal for Vanguard with 6 saves on the day.