The Pirate soccer team yielded a goal to Santa Monica in the 21st minute, but could not punch one through themselves in a 1-0 defeat to the Corsairs Friday at the VC Sportsplex. The Pirates out-shot SMC 16-3 in the contest but still suffered their second straight one-goal defeat.
The Corsairs were the aggressors from the start, earning a free kick from just outside the penalty box in the third minute of the contest. They kept the pressure up, scoring the lone goal of the match in the 21st minute.
Ventura came out more aggressively in the second half, Earning nine of their 13 corner kicks in the final 45 minutes. As time ran down, the Pirates had numerous scoring chances, including a free kick and a corner kick in the final minute, but they could not register a score on Santa Monica, who completed their fourth straight shutout.
The Pirates will get some time to return to the training pitch after playing five matches in the season's first 15 days. VC travels to San Diego Miramar on Monday Sept. 22 at 3:00 pm before opening Western State Conference play at Moorpark on Friday Oct. 4 at 4:00 pm.