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Women's Soccer

Women's Soccer NAIA Nationals vs Vanguard

Floodgates Open In Win Over Vanguard

PLNU scored early and often in a 6-1 triumph over GSAC-rivals Vanguard in a NAIA National Championship Tournament match at the Jack Allen Sports Complex Tuesday afternoon.  The unseeded Sea Lions advance to the tournament's final eight and will, weather permitting, take on top-seeded Lindsay Wilson (KY) in a quarterfinal game on Wednesday starting at 4:00 pm (cst).

Vanguard topped PLNU 1-0 in the regular season and then in the GSAC tournament championship game. The latter was a 0-0 tie but the Lions won 3-1 on penalty kicks. Only one goal was scored between the two teams in nearly 220 minutes of action prior to Tuesday's nationals tilt.

It didn't take long for PLNU to equal that number. Alex Fuller scored just 45 seconds into the match, taking a cross from Katie Pedlowe from the top of the box and sending it into VUSC's goal.

“It was awesome,” said Fuller. “It set a theme for the game.”

That theme took awhile to develop, however, as both sides settled in to their normal defensive roles for the remainder of the first half. Heading to the break the Sea Lions were holding onto their slim 1-0 advantage.

The outcome of the game was decided 17 minutes into the second half when the scoring floodgates opened. PLNU, which was constantly open on breakaways despite the muddy conditions, scored three goals in rapid succession to take an insurmountable 4-0 lead. Pedlowe started the run by pushing one in past VUSC's All-GSAC keeper Jillian Foss in the 47th minute.
 
Pedlowe was part of the next score in the 53nd minute when her cross deflected off a Lion player and into the net for an own goal. Senior Lauren Leslie finished the barrage with a drive from 20 yards out on a pass from Kelsey Lundberg in the 59th minute.

Vanguard's Karri Currier put her team on the board less than a minute later when she corralled the rebound off of a shot by Gabriela Valles to make the score 4-1. But that would be it for the Lions (13-2-6) who are ousted from the single-elimination tournament.

PLNU picked up two more insurance goals. Brooke Winklepleck sent one past Foss in the 64th minute and Pedlowe scored her second of the day on another breakaway in the 77th minute.

“I am so proud of this team,” said Pedlowe. “We knew coming in this game that we had to step up. We did that and so much more. Every girl played their heart out and it was a team effort. We scored when we needed and the defense did its job amazingly.”

The Sea Lions improved to 14-4-3 with the win. The six goals were the most that PLNU has scored all season, doubling the three the team posted against Southern Nazarene and it is the highest postseason goal tally in team history. The last time that the Sea Lions scored six goals was in August of 2007 against Doane.

Winning by the 6-1 score was unexpected and very improbable. PLNU entered the tournament with just 25 goals to their credit in 20 games and VUSC had allowed just eight goals all season.

“Vanguard beat us twice, but we beat them when it mattered most – at nationals,” said Leslie. “We wanted this so bad and to come out with such a great win is one of the best feelings ever. We have so much heart and we never give up.”

The two sides took 15 shots apiece, the Sea Lions making good on six and came close on some other opportunities. PLNU keeper Tiffany Kracy turned back six shots, though only a couple were real threats. Foss had six saves in the loss.

Lindsey Wilson, the Sea Lion's next opponent, is 19-2-2 on the season. The two-time national champion Blue Raiders defeated Southern Nazarene 4-0 on Monday.
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