Ventura College freshman Miranda Vasquez scored two first half goals and first-year goalie Maya Escobar recorded seven saves in the net for the Pirates as they shutout the visiting College of the Desert Roadrunners 4-0 Friday afternoon at the VC Sportsplex to open the 2017 season. Audrey Castillo also had a goal and an assist in the victory for Ventura (1-0).
After knocking on the door for the first half-hour of play, Vasquez converted the first score of the season, beating the Desert goalkeeper to a ball from Sirena Romero and knocking a floater into the back left side of the net in the 28th minute. Eight minutes later, Vasquez scored again, this time with an assist from Castillo, and the Pirates led 2-0 at intermission.
Sierra Patton settled the outcome with a goal off a Teresa Vargas assist in the 63rd minute and Castillo set the final margin with a score in the 79th minute from a Marina Salinas helper.
Escobar was solid all day in the goal for the Pirates, recording her first collegiate shutout with relief time from Eva Mcmillan.
Ventura will next host its annual Nike Soccer Community College Showcase on Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at the Sportsplex and West Field. 16 teams will travel to Ventura for the three-day extravaganza with the Pirates hosting Hartnell at 8:00pm on Thursday Aug. 31 and Clovis at 3:00 pm on Saturday Sept. 2.