ALISO VIEJO, CA- The Soka University Lions (0-0-2) played No. 18-ranked Vanguard University (0-0-1) to a 2-2 draw Sunday evening at the Lions' Den Soccer Stadium.

Soka's Noah Alexander put the Lions on the scoreboard early, netting his first goal of the 2022 season 27 seconds into the match. Alexander's goal originated from Chase Buchert's square pass to Kaulin Huss. Huss laid his pass off first-time to Alexander, who deceptively took his first touch into space giving him the opening needed to put his look on frame. Alexander blasted his shot low and into the right side of the goal from 20-yards out, netting his third career goal and providing Soka with the early lead. Alexander's finish is the second fastest recorded goal in Soka men's soccer program history behind Soka's Yauri De Groot. De Groot still holds the record for the quickest goal in program history, scoring ten seconds into the Lions' game against Providence Christian College on Aug. 30, 2016.

Vanguard responded in the 27th minute after Austin Tubbs dropped his pass back to Stewart Alvayero outside the 18-yard box. Alvayero hit his volley high and into the upper corner of Soka's goal to level the score.

Ten minutes later, Vanguard converted their second goal of the match. The goal stemmed from a corner kick served second-six by Aidan Doherty. Doherty found Andrew Robles' head, who connected his pass with Tubbs. Tubbs slotted his shot into the goal giving Vanguard the 2-1 lead at the end of the first half.

Both sides created dangerous scoring opportunities during the second half, but the Soka Lions were able to capitalize on their crafty sequence in the 83rd minute. Soka's Bryan Palpallatoc threaded his pass to Sam Dagg down the right flank. Dagg evaded Vanguard's defense and drove a well-placed cross towards the head of Luis Barraza at the back post. Barraza timed his run perfectly and re-directed his diving header into the net to equalize, give Soka their second tie of the 2022 season, and tally his first goal of the year.

"Coach Bryan Ortiz and I have many positive takeaways from tonight's performance," said Head Coach Shawn Beyer. "The way the team played and their belief were more than commendable. With a bit more precision in the final third, we come away with the win. Tonight it was a great result against a team currently in the national rankings."

Soka returns to the Lions' Den on Wednesday, Aug. 24, to host Occidental College. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
 
 
Game Notes: This is the ninth meeting between Soka and Vanguard University… Soka's overall record against Vanguard is now 1-7-1… Both teams took 13 total shots on the day, with Vanguard putting six shots on goal and Soka finding frame five times… Soka's Eric Aparicio made four saves… A yellow card was shown to Vanguard University's Austin Tubbs.