The Pirates soccer team had been having trouble cashing in on scoring chances as of late. They broke out of that rut in a big way Tuesday, scoring nine times against Allan Hancock College in their 9-1 victory in Santa Maria. Sabrina Lopez had two goals and an assist and Michelle Rios also scored twice for Ventura (7-2-4, 3-0-3).
The Pirates had scored just six goals in their last eight matches before taking 38 shots on Tuesday, 19 on goal, for their nine goal explosion. The win also extended their Western State Conference unbeaten streak to 13 matches dating to October 18 of last year.
Lopez got Ventura on the board in the fourth minute from an assist by Sarah Garcia. Melissa Cardenas made it 2-0 in the 18th from a pass by Karen Medina.
The Pirates put the game away with five scores in the final third of the opening half. Adrina Palacios scored an unassiste goal in the 32nd minute, followed three minutes later by Rios' first goal from a Palacios assist. Lopez netted a score without an assist in the 39th minute and then assisted Rios' second goal in the 43rd. Medina converted a Cardenas assist in the final minute before intermission.
Sofia Chandler got into the act in the 74th minute with Faby Rangel assisting, and Abigail Littleton made it 9-0 in the 81st minute with the help of Merissa Campos.
The Bulldogs got a late score on a free kick to set the result at 9-1.
The Pirates close the first round of conference play at 3-0-3, tied for second with Santa Barbara (3-0-3) with 12 points. Defending champion Pierce College sits in first with 14 points (4-0-2).
VC will host Fresno City College in a non-conference affair on Saturday Oct. 25 at 12:00 pm. the return to conference play hosting Moorpark on Tuesday Oct. 24 at 6:00 pm at the VC Sportsplex.