Lions or Pansies?

Vanguard was a bunch 'o pansies who thrive on whining and bitching all game long. They did not deserve to win yesterday and, what do ya know, THEY DIDN'T - whether for goofing off during pregame, heckling our team on the field of play, disrespecting the referees, delivering cheap hits, or riling up their obnoxious fans (mostly parents) - I do not know.
What I do know is that going into the second half of a soccer match 2 up on a team can be incredibly detrimental if you've presumed victory. In fact, during high school games, any time we led 2-nil our coach would give his infamous halftime lecture, "this is the most dangerous half time score - you go in feeling like you've already won but then you get hit upside the head: one more goal and their only down one, two more goals and they're right back at it... now the momentum is in their favor and they've got you on your heels... so what are you going to do about it? SCORE EARLY AND PUT THEM AWAY!"
Well I'm not sure what words of wisdom Vanguard's head coach gave the Lions about the fateful 2-0 half time lead... I imagine they were probably deciding what time they were going to go to the swap meet later that afternoon, or maybe they had a hot debate about whether it was too cold of day to wear their new Hollister Haulter (it was a little drizzly)... whatever it was it didn't inspire them to dislodge their heads from their (insert choice of word here)_____.
There was this particular left midfielder, #8 Swann, for the Lions that definitely deserves some attention. So a little history first: my freshman year at Vanguard we lost 1-0, to a penalty kick or some sort. This particular left midfielder randomly decides to shove Taylor Gray's (former HIU defender) head down to the ground in some attempt to "show her." Taylor amazingly decided not to retaliate or defend herself, which was to the benefit of Swann. So I go into the match yesterday remembering the little incident and to look out for this breezy who thinks she's so tough.
She happened to be marked by Marce Herrara who did not put up with her cheap tricks or her obnoxious mouth. Early on they both got into tackles near the side line that earned us free kicks. From the Vanguard fan section - better described as a pack of chimpanzees or hiyenas - a mom squealed "That was the wrong person to mess with." Minutes later Swann was laid out by defender Lisa Teberg - who I have nick named Freight Train. I guess Swann didn't know to get off the tracks, but when she got up she was leveled once again, but this time by Marce who was at full speed toward the ball. Neither incidents incurred a free kick for Swann or the Lions, but there was the little pathetic left midfielder crying like a baby on the ground for a call.
Her favorite thing to do was to run and grab the ball out of bounds, especially when she knew it was our throw-in. On one occasion after she suffered a huge blow from Kim Smith, the ball consequently rolled out of bounds - last touching her. Since there was no sympathy call from the ref, she continued after the ball - knowing it wasn't hers. The ball happened to roll out of bounds to my roommate Jessica Sandoval who was dancing on it out of reach of Swann who proceeded to swear indignantly and then she even shoved Jessica. The referee was incredibly entertained and just informed Swann that it wasn't her throw in.
Megan Swann is the biggest embarrassment to GSAC women's soccer.
Vanguard was unable to score in the second half while Jenny Love, my fellow freshman forward (alliteration... noice =), put 2 in back of the net. Both teams endured two over time halfs without allowing a goal, although there is speculation that in double over time my header crossed the goal line in to the goal before the lion's 'keep was able to knock it back into play with her flimsy outstretched hand. I'll just go ahead and give credit to the linesman on that one.
Did I mention Vanguard is ranked? Yeah like 23 - or some odd number - in the nation. Hmmm... interesting. Well below is an article from HIU about the game - one notable mistake is that Jenny's first goal was actaully unnassited. Otherwise, not too shabby.

FULLERTON, Calif.--After a grueling match that lasted 110 minutes, the Hope International women’s soccer team found itself in a familiar position on Saturday. For the third time during conference play this season, the Royals ended double-overtime play in a tie, this time with GSAC foe Vanguard, 2-2. The Lions scored both of their goals in the first half, the first coming in the 5th minute of play by Vanguard’s Emilia Miller. The second came in the 27th minute, a shot across field by the Lions’ Heather Hutton that sailed high into the top left of the net past Royals freshman keeper Ana Ahumada.

Both teams came out scrappy and aggressive in the second half, and the physical play seemed to suit the Royals just fine. Jennifer Love scored both Hope goals after the break, the first coming in the 54th minute off an assist from Lisa Teberg. Love’s second goal came 14 minutes later, a header into the back of the net off of a corner kick by Kim Smith.

Ahumada, starting her first conference game in goal for Hope, was sensational despite surrendering the two first half goals. She had a career-best and season-high 15 saves for the Royals, with several of them coming in the last few minutes of play. With less than three minutes remaining in regulation, Ahumada had a critical save on a Lions shot that would have given Vanguard (8-5-2, 3-3-2) a 3-2 advantage. Although Vanguard out shot Hope 22-9, both teams missed several opportunities to score in the overtime periods.

Hope (5-8-3, 0-5-3) plays its last home match on Tuesday, October 25th versus Westmont at 3:00 p.m. The Royals will face GSAC opponent Biola on the road on Saturday, October 29th to close out conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.