Toros Women Come Alive in Second Half, Defeat Vanguard 4-1
McDonald tallies third game-winning goal in a row to propel CSUDH
September 11, 2004

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.--Rachele McDonald (Ventura, CA/Buena HS) scored two of the Toros three second half goals, including her third game-winner in a row, to lead host Cal State Dominguez Hills to a 4-1 non-conference win over Vanguard University Saturday afternoon at Toro Field.

The win is the fourth in a row for CSUDH and is now 4-2-0 on the season. Vanguard falls to 2-2-1. The Toros took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute of play when freshman forward Tara Senff (Palos Verdes, CA/So. Torrance HS) hit a blast to the upper corner from 30-yards out for her second goal of the year.

But Vanguard was able to tie the game just before the half on a defensive miscue. Heather Tape took advantage of a turnover at the top of the box and hit her shot from 10-yards out to the far post to equalize.

CSUDH was able to find its second wind in the second half despite the hot and muggy conditions. McDonald scored in the 74th-minute for what would turn out to be the game-winning shot. McDonald took a beautiful pass over the defense from senior Kristen Walsh (Lakewood, CA/Mayfair HS) and sent her shot from the left side into the net from eight yards away.

Cal State Dominguez Hills' Corrie Hirokawa (Torrance, CA/No. Torrance HS) gave the Toros a 3-1 cushion less than three minutes later in the 77th-minute. Hirokawa accepted a nice through pass from Candace Hearn (Whittier, CA/Whittier HS), beat a defender then the goalkeeper to the far post for her third goal of the season.

McDonald rounded out the scoring with her second goal of the game and fourth of the year in the 87th-minute of play. Nikki Szlak (Long Beach, CA/Los Alamitos HS) took a pass from Kim Hearn (Whittier, CA/Whittier HS) and hit the left post. McDonald was there for the rebound inside the box and knocked her shot in from the left side. The Toros outshot the Lions 26-11 on the day and had a 10-0 corner kick advantage.

Mallory Dominguez (San Pedro, CA/Mary Star of the Sea HS) had six saves to earn the win for CSUDH. Kim Becher, who made 11 saves in between the posts, took the loss.

Cal State Dominguez Hills opens up California Collegiate Athletic Association action on Tuesday, September 14 hosting Cal Poly Pomona. Game time is scheduled for 4 PM.

Vanguard University (2-2-1)  1 0 - 1 
CS Dominguez Hills (4-2-0)   1 3 - 4

GOALS - VU: Heather Tape - 43:23; CSUDH: Tara Senff - 18:27, Rachele McDonald - 73:59, Corrie Hirokawa - 76:39, Rachele McDonald - 87:24.

SAVES - VU: Kim Becher - 11; CSUDH: Mallory Dominguez - 6.

SHOTS - VU: 11, CSUDH: 26.

FOULS - VU: 7, CSUDH: 10.

CORNERS - VU: 0, CSUDH: 10.

Attendance: 137