Men’s Soccer: Lions bested in OT
LA MIRADA — The 2016 postseason was a mixed bag for Vanguard University junior goalkeeper Brandon Gomez.
The three-time All-Golden State Athletic Conference honoree was a hero in the Lions’ first-round GSAC tournament win over Biola on Saturday, when he stopped two penalty kicks in a post-overtime shootout, then buried a PK of his own to propel his team into the semifinals.
In the semifinal Thursday, however, Gomez allowed three scores, including what his coach considered a soft goal that allowed Menlo to force overtime in the Oaks’ eventual 3-2 overtime victory that ended Vanguard’s season at Biola University.
“It was a bad mistake,” Vanguard Coach Randy Dodge said of Menlo’s second goal, in the 50th minute, that erased the Lions’ only lead. “[Menlo’s Luis Nunez] dribbled the ball across [about 10 yards past midfield], no one stepped to him, and he hit a bomb. But it was [three feet] off the ground and it was right down the middle of the goal. To me, that was a bad goal. Our goalkeeper screwed up.”
Dodge was also displeased about the game-winner, on which David Beary volleyed in a loose ball in front after a long throw-in, just 4:25 into overtime.
The winning play came after a Menlo throw-in into the box was headed directly out of bounds by a Vanguard defender to set up another throw-in.
Gomez, who surrendered just 10 goals the first 15 games this season, in which he posted eight shutouts, allowed six goals in two postseason games. In those two GSAC tournament games, Gomez had three combined saves in 204-plus minutes of regulation and overtime, including one save Thursday.
In his last six postseason games, in which Vanguard is 2-3-1 dating back to a 3-1 loss in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament in 2014, Gomez, the conference Defensive Player of the Week four times this season, including the previous two weeks, has allowed 14 goals and made 20 saves.
“We have the best keeper in the conference, but he struggled today,” Dodge said of Gomez, who in 59 career matches has 24 shutouts and 36 wins.
No. 3-seeded Vanguard (11-5-1), as it did in all but three of its contests this season, took more shots against No. 2-seeded and No. 25-ranked Menlo (14-4-1). Vanguard posted a 13-4 shot advantage in the opening half, and an 8-6 edge the second 45 minutes. Menlo had both shots in overtime.
Vanguard junior defender Nathan Miramontes headed in a long free kick from near midfield by senior defender Zac Way to erase a 1-0 Menlo lead in the 22nd minute.
The Lions then went ahead when a cross from senior Juan Arellano was directed on goal by senior Ivan Azpeita. Azpeita’s shot caromed off the right post, but freshman Jared Gould was there to bury the rebound for the designated visitors in the 27th minute.
The loss marked the end of distinguished careers for seniors Arellano, Way, Josh Davis and Azpeita.
Arellano, a four-time All-GSAC forward, had 30 goals and 19 assists as a Lion.
Way, a defender who triggered set pieces, had four goals and 18 assists the last three seasons, the last two of which ended in the NAIA Tournament.
Davis was an all-conference defender the last two years, while Azpeita, a forward, totaled 13 goals and nine assists the last two seasons.
“It was a great senior class and I’m super proud of what those guys did for the program,” Dodge said.
