WOMEN'S SOCCER: The VC women's soccer team could not finish on the offensive end Tuesday, dropping a 3-0 decision to visiting Santa Barbara City College at the Sportsplex. Playing without sophomore forward Macey Herrera, who went down last week with a knee injury, the Pirate offense created chances, but could not find the back of the net in the match. Forwards Ashley Borrell, Liz Fair, and Abigail Littleton all had chances at the net in the match for Ventura (7-3-1, 3-2).
The two teams battled early, with both taking shots at the goal. Santa Barbara made a run in the fourth minute, only to be turned back by Pirate goal keeper Hailee Powell, and VC's AJ Tewes had a rocket from 30 yards out on the keeper in the sixth. The Vaqueros missed on a crossing pass in the 11th minute and Powell turned back an SBCC free kick from just outside the penalty box in the 14th. The Pirates also had chances in the 17th on a corner kick by Guadalupe Magaña, and again on another comer in the 20th minute.
Magana had a free kick from 45 yards out that was barely tipped over the crossbar by the Santa Barbara goalie in the 35th minute before the Vaqueros broke through in the 41st. They split the Pirate defense and slotted in the first goal of the game for a 1-0 advantage. The Pirates attempt to answer sailed wide as Tewes headed another Magana corner kick with three minutes left in the half.
The Pirates had more chances in the second half, including a shot by Fair from 25 yards out in the 56th minute and a cross by Borrell that was headed over the crossbar by Littleton with 25 minutes remaining. SBCC scored their second goal in the 67th minute, and VC's last best chance to score came off the foot of Taylor C'debaca, who turned and shot from inside the box, just tipped wide by the Vaquero keeper in the 79th minute. Santa Barbara added an inconsequential goal in the final minute of play for the 3-0 result.
Ventura will attempt to regroup by Friday Oct. 18 when they host Allan Hancock College at the Sportsplex. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm.