COSTA MESA, Calif. – With bags packed and sights set on a victory, the Warriors took a trip down south to Costa Mesa for the first of a three-match road trip. On the schedule Thursday was the Lions of Vanguard, and while the Warriors scratched and clawed for 90-minutes, they walk away on the short end of a 1-0 finish.
 
The trip to Costa Mesa was a first for many Warriors, as Jessup was competing at Vanguard for the first time since the 2019 season. Natalia Seuthe, in fact, is the only remaining Jessup player to have played on Vanguard's home field.
 
With the loss, Jessup drops to 2-5-1 overall on the season. The Warriors sit at 0-2-0 within the Golden State Athletic Conference.
 
Thursday's lone goal came with just a minute remaining in the first half. Vanguard's Rachel Penick crossed the ball over to her teammate Alyssa Fong, who then found the back of the net for her second goal of the season.
 
Entering halftime, Vanguard had outshot Jessup 6-1.
 
Jessup was able to up their offensive output in the second half, firing off five shots to just two from Vanguard, but the equalizing tally could not be found. Three of Jessup's six shots went on goal, with Olivia Chimienti, Kaylee Gillespie, and Tess Sando registering a strike on target.
 
"We started well, but there wasn't much consistency," said head coach Amsalu Fantahun. "When we had the ball, we didn't have many options. In the second half, we did a better job with that. But still, we need to work on our attacking third."
 
The Warriors split goalkeeper duty in this one, as Mya Rodriguez made two saves in the first half. Madeline Jern played the final 45, registering just one save.
 
Fantahun said that they will use their day off tomorrow to work on what formation they play out of. "We have two formations that we play. We tried one. It was working for us defensively. We will try the second formation and see how we can attack and how well we defend out of it.  
 
Jessup will continue the road trip on Saturday when they take on San Diego Christian in Temecula. The Warriors will be at Menlo College next Saturday.
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).