Briefs: Two Lions lauded

Two Lions lauded

Vanguard University senior Haley Gonzalez is the Golden State Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, while Lions freshman Haley Magana collected Defensive Player of the Week honors in women’s soccer.

Gonzalez, a midfielder, scored the game-winner in the 80th minute of a 2-1 triumph in the GSAC title-clinching victory over The Master’s on Saturday at home.

On Oct. 25, Gonzalez had a pair of assists in a 3-0 home conference win against San Diego Christian.

Gonzalez has three goals and three assists for the Lions (14-3, 9-1 in conference), who are the No. 1 seed for the upcoming GSAC Tournament.

Magana, a goalkeeper who had eight saves in the two wins last week, has been part of 12 shutouts this season. She has surrendered only five goals in 16 games (an 0.33 average), and only three goals in 10 conference contests.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports

Gomez honored again

Vanguard University junior goalkeeper Brandon Gomez has been named Golden State Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week in men’s soccer for the third time this season.

Gomez, a three-time all-conference honoree, had seven combined saves in a pair of shutout victories last week to end the regular season.

Gomez made five saves in a 1-0 win over The Master’s on Saturday at Vanguard. He made two saves in a 5-0 win over visiting San Diego Christian on Oct. 25.

Gomez, who been the only goalkeeper for the Lions this season, has allowed 10 goals in 15 games (0.65 per game) and has eight shutouts.

The Lions (11-4, 6-4 in conference) used the two wins to climb to a third-place finish. They begin the GSAC Tournament by playing host to Biola on Saturday at 2 p.m.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports

OEC tourneys on tap

Golden West College takes a 24-0 record into the Orange Empire Conference men’s water polo tournament that begins Friday at Saddleback College.

Coach Scott Taylor’s Rustlers (5-0 in conference) are top-seeded and face the winner of the 9 a.m. game between No. 4-seeded Saddleback (15-8) or No. 5-seeded Fullerton (11-14) in one semifinal on Friday at 1 p.m.

Orange Coast (19-6), which finished second, plays in the other semifinal on Friday at 2:20 p.m. against either No. 3-seeded Riverside (16-8) or No. 6-seeded Santa Ana (2-5).

The final is scheduled Saturday at 3:10 p.m.

Golden West is the No. 2 seed and OCC is the No. 4 seed in the women’s tournament that begins Thursday.

Golden West (20-4) meets No. 7-seeded Santa Ana (0-8) at 9 a.m. in the first round, in which OCC (10-8) takes on No. 5-seeded Saddleback (12-11).

The first-round winners advance to the semifinals later Thursday afternoon.

The women’s final is Saturday at 1:50 p.m.

— Barry Faulkner

— Barry Faulkner