By Beth Renkoski
10/28/09
No. 20 Eagles Edge Lions in Double OT
La Mirada, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions came up just short this evening against the 20th-ranked Biola University in a GSAC men’s soccer game in La Mirada. Tying the game 1-1 late in regulation to push the game into overtime, the Lions eventually lost 2-1 early in the second overtime period.
The Lions out-shot the Eagles 7-2 in the first half but could not break through the Eagle defense. The hosts had a couple of legitimate opportunities, only to have VU’s junior keeper Trevor Herrera make a terrific stop and break up the plays to preserve the zeroes on the scoreboard.
Shots would even out in the second half with each team accumulating nine, but the goalies were stellar again, maintaining the double shutout through the first 32 minutes of play. Finally, Derek Friehe won a scramble for the ball in front of VU’s goal and slammed it past Herrera for the game’s first goal. However, less than two minutes later, the Lions countered with the game-tying goal from Alex Lopez. Taking a pass from Tomislav Colic, Lopez blasted a shot from long range to tie the score 1-1.
The first overtime was fruitless as the score remained even after Herrera made the only save of the frame, sending the game into the second ten-minute overtime. Biola needed only 2:32 of the second overtime period to pick up the Eagles’ golden goal as Marco Ruvalcaba assisted Kennedy Chongo on the play. Chongo notched the game-ending goal to pull the Eagles to within two points of first place The Master’s in the GSAC standings. Appropriately, the Eagles will travel to The Master’s College to end the regular season on Saturday with the chance to win the 2010 GSAC Championship.
The Lions, now 7-6-3 overall and 4-3-2, will host Westmont College on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Hosting for the final time this season, the Lions will recognize their seniors prior to the beginning of Saturday’s game. Thanks for following the Vanguard Lions.
Boxscore