WOMEN'S SOCCER: In the past two weeks, the Ventura College women's soccer program reached a pair of milestones. With their 2-0 win over Oxnard College on October 8, the Pirates achieved the program's 300th victory in 18 seasons. Then, last Friday VC defeated Allan Hancock 2-0 for the team's 200th Western State Conference victory. Head Coach Steve Hoffman, the only coach the Pirates have ever known, has a special message in honor of these two achievements.
I would like to send a special shout out to all of our alumni for their contribution to building the Ventura College soccer program's legacy. Because of you, it has become one of the top community college soccer programs in the country. I am so proud of every Pirate who has played for me over the last 18 years; they have excelled in the classroom and on the field. Combined, the teams have 200 wins, 12 ties, and 14 losses in the Western State Conference and hold 15 championships.
I never allowed any Pirate team to play an easy schedule. I strongly believe I must challenge this team every day in training and in the games in which they play. I tell my players, "Challenge yourself in the classroom and I will make sure you're challenged on the field." The program's overall record reflects these challenges' with 301 wins, 66 losses and 35 ties.
Sometimes players come to me and say they are feeling the pressure of the legacy that has been built over the years. I tell them, "Pressure is a privilege and a honor, and not everyone has the opportunity to deal with it." The players we recruit to VC are not just excellent soccer players, they are excellent students who can deal with the extra work needed to play intercollegiate soccer.
In closing, I would like to thank all the support staff at Ventura College. They share in every victory, and without their support there would be no program. I would also like to give a special thanks to some great coaches who have given me fantastic advice and support over the years: Ned Mircetic, Terry Morris, Larry Baratte, Gary Anglin, Robin Hester, Donny Adams, Nelson Emery, and Will Cowen. Finally, I would like to thank the group of individual who gave me the opportunity to be a part of Ventura College athletics back in 1996: Steve Tobias, Dick James, Peder Nielsen, Mark Chaney, and Raeann Koerner.
Steve Hoffman
Ventura College
Head Women's Soccer Coach
1996 - present