WOMEN'S SOCCER: Just when they may have been written off, the Pirates' women's soccer team showed signs of life Tuesday, exhibiting a spark to their play in their 2-1 victory over conference-leading Los Angeles Pierce College at the Sportsplex. AJ Tewes and Taylor C'debaca each scored goals in the decisive first half, and goal keeper Hailee Powell turned back the Brahma's with some solid work, as well, as VC (12-3-2, 7-2-1) avenged an earlier 1-0 loss at Pierce.
The Pirates, who seem to have adjusted to the loss of playmaker Macey Herrera on Oct. 8, were the aggressors throughout, creating numerous scoring chances in the opening 45 minutes. Abigail Littleton had a nice run down the right side, hitting a shot to the near post in the 13th minute before C'debaca hit a shot just high and wide from inside the top left corner of the penalty box four minutes later. Tewes broke through in the 17th minute, taking a pass from Marissa Reyes and slotting it to the back right corner of the goal for a 1-0 Pirate lead. C'debaca kept up the VC momentum in the 21st minute, bending a rocket into the right side of the goal from 20 yards out on the left front for a commanding 2-0 advantage.
LA Pierce produced their own chances in the half, having an attacking shot deflected before Powell's save from out front in the 27th minute. The Brahmas finally connected on a run down the left side, firing a shot high to halve the Ventura lead in the 33rd. But VC kept the pressure on. Littleton made a run down the right side on a counter attack with her shot tipped over the crossbar. Powell preserved the Ventura lead in the 44th minute, turning back a worm-burner from 20 yards out. The Pirates led 2-1 at halftime.
Ventura remained aggressive in the second half, with Ashley Borrell leading Littleton to a 1-on-1 with the goalie in the 49th. The contest got physical as the second half wore on with a pair of yellow cards issued, but the Pirates turned back everything Pierce could throw at them. Powell punched out an LAPC free kick in the 85th minute and VC held on to the 2-1 victory.
Pierce remains in the driver's seat for the Western State Conference crown, but the Pirates helped maintain their claim to the runner-up spot. VC will travel to Santa Barbara on Thursday Nov. 7 for a 7:30 pm contest at La Playa Stadium. With wins in their next two outings, Ventura holds on to slim hopes of climbing back into a first-place tie with Pierce at season's end.