The Pirates' women's soccer team played a physical battle with visiting Allan Hancock Friday night, emerging with a 1-0 triumph to even the season series with the Bulldogs. Viviana Marmolejo scored the lone goal of the game in the 30th minute with an assist from Alondra Sanchez. Meanwhile, Klarissa Melgoza had an excellent outing in her center midfield position in helping preserve the shutout win.
Ventura (8-6-4, 5-2-2) began the game by putting pressure on the Hancock defense. Samantha Quinonez had a pair of early chances as both teams played an intense, back and forth game.
In the 30th minute, Sanchez dropped a right to left pass behind the AHC defensive back line to Marmolejo, who finished the play with a hard drive and slotting a shot past the goal keeper inside the far post for the 1-0 advantage.
VC totaled eight shots in the opening half, seven on goal, while Hancock recorded four shots, two on target.
The second 45 minutes continued to be a physical contest The Pirate defense, led by Melgoza, held fast throughout, holding the Bulldogs scoreless to preserve the victory.
Ventura finished with 15 total shots, eight on goal while Hancock had eight shots, five on goal.
The Pirates next travel to Los Angeles Pierce on Tuesday Nov. 4 for a 3:00 pm match-up with the Brahmas.