The Pirates' women's soccer team traveled to Santa Maria on Tuesday, coming home after a 2-1 setback at the hands of the Bulldogs. Alix Tirado scored in the first half before the Bulldogs found the inside of the goal twice in the final 45 minutes of play. Tirado recorded five shots on goal for Ventura while Maggie Mordecai and Ashley Tiscareno each had two shots on target.
After a flurry of Hancock offensive activity in the opening 10 minutes, the Pirates settled in, providing their own action on offense. Tirado got her first look at the goal in the 19th minute, and Tirado converted a Hancock deflection five minutes later to put Ventura ahead 1-0. Mordecai, Tirado and Alyssa Cornwell all had shots over the next few minutes of play, but unfortunately the Pirates could not sneak the ball back into the goal. VC led 1-0 at intermission.
Hancock came out much more aggressive in the second half, netting the equalizer in the 49th minute. The Bulldogs then kept the pressure on the Ventura defense, scoring the game-winner in the 74th minute. The Bulldogs were awarded a controversial penalty kick, and when the shot bounced of fthe crossbar, a Hancock player controlled the rebound and score the go-ahead goal. While VC outshot Hancock 9-7 in the first half, the Bulldogs turned the tables to a 14-5 shot advantage in the final stanza.
Pirate goal keeper Isa Garcia recorded seven saves in the game.
Ventura will receive a forfeit win for post-season seeding purposes on Friday Oct. 21 as Cuesta has prematurely stopped their season before hosting Santa Barbara on Tuesday Oct. 25.