The VC women's soccer team attempted to mount a late comeback Tuesday night at the Sportsplex but fell short in their 2-1 loss to 2015 State Final Four participant Rio Hondo College. Trailing 2-1, Jennifer Orozco hit a rocket from 35 yards out on the right side into the net to cut a 2-0 deficit in half in the 78th minute, but the Pirates (2-3) were unable to cash in the equalizer in the final 10 minutes.
Ventura came out aggressive, attempting a pair of shots in the first 90 seconds of play. The Roadrunners, however, quickly became the aggressors, and cashed in a goal in the 13th minute of play to take a 1-0 lead. Rio Hondo remained in control throughout most of the first half. Janelle Garcia and Megan Henderson did make a nice run at the goal in the 27th minute, and the Pirates had a corner kick volleyed over the crossbar in the 44th, but their chances to score were few and far between.
VC was able to control the ball better early in the second half producing chances six minutes in when Henderson barely missed a header off a Janelle Garcia cross and when Orozco used some fancy footwork down the right side to attack the goal, but come up short in the 56th minute. Three minutes later Rio Hondo scored on a counter attack to take a 2-0 advantage.
The Pirates continued the attack, but opportunities were sparse through the Roadrunner defense. Orozco took a pass from Sydney Kruft and launched a rocket from 35 yards out that went to the top far corner of the goal for Ventura's first score of the game in the 78th minute. VC could not find the equalizer in the final minutes, however, falling to Rio Hondo, 2-1.
The Pirates produced 10 shots on the day with five on goal. Goalkeeper Evanessa Vasquez had three saves in front of the net.
Ventura gets 10 days off to rest and regroup before hosting East Los Angeles on Friday Sept. 23. Kickoff at the Sportsplex is scheduled for 6:00 pm.