By Beth Renkoski

10/21/09

Valles Has Golden Touch for Lions

Valles with Golden Goal

Lions Celebrate

Costa Mesa, Calif--- The Vanguard Lions took the field this afternoon for the first time since rising to No. 5 in yesterday’s NAIA rankings. Receiving the highest rank in program history, the first challenge for the Lions would be a very determined No. 22 team of Sea Lions from Point Loma Nazarene University. Seemingly headed for a scoreless stalemate, VU’s Gabriela Valles placed a golden touch on a Kristin Rice cross with only 1:04 remaining in the second overtime period for the 1-0 Vanguard victory.

Although the shot column was even in the first 45 minutes of play, the Lions managed to keep the ball on PLNU’s end the majority of the first half with goal keeper Tiffany Kracy, the GSAC Defensive Player of the Week, registering one save in goal for the Sea Lions.

The momentum shifted in the second half as the Sea Lions charged aggressively into the period and kept constant pressure on the Vanguard defense. PLNU fired off six shots but VU’s reliable senior keeper, Jill Foss, tallied a pair of saves to maintain the shutout. The Lions had five shots of their own, but Kracy was perfect again with three saves on the visitors’ side.

There were no clear shots for either team in the first overtime play but a couple of opportunities and close calls came and disappeared as the defenses held tight on both ends of the field, sending the game into the second sudden death overtime period.

Vanguard had its chances to end the game early in the second OT as Karri Currie put her first overtime shot on target, only to have Kracy make the stop in the 103rd minute of the game. Once again with less than five minutes to play, junior Danielle Dintino fired from close range but Kracy snagged the high hard shot to save the day. PLNU took its lone shot of the period with 2:26 remaining but the Sea Lions’ shot was turned away by Foss who eventually recorded her eighth shutout of the season.

With less than two minutes to play, it appeared that the game would end in a frustrating tie, until the Lions won possession of the ball at midfield and Rice sent a perfect cross from the left and ahead of Valles, leading her to the right corner of PLNU’s box. Kracy, sensing the urgency of the play, came out to try to intercept the pass, but Valles beat her to the ball just in time to put a perfect touch, placing the golden goal in the lower left corner of the net.

Time stopped with 1:04 on the clock and the Lions celebrated their 11th win of the season and their fifth GSAC victory to remain in second place of the conference standings.

Kracy had a six-save effort for the Sea Lions, who drop to 9-4-1 overall and 4-4 in GSAC, while Foss tallied three saves and her 24th career shutout as a Lion.  Valles' goal was her team-leading ninth of the year and Rice's first assist of the season came in a very crucial and memorable moment for the Lions.

Vanguard improves to 11-1-1 overall and 5-1-1 in GSAC with three regular season games remaining. The Lions are on the road for the next two games, including this Saturday when they travel to Fresno to face the FPU Sunbirds in a 5:00 p.m. matchup.

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