After recovering from a shaky defensive start and after allowing an disappointing goal early in the second half, the Pirate soccer team came from behind to defeat visiting Rio Hondo Friday night at the VC Sportsplex. Paulina Aldrete and Audrey Castillo netted scores three minutes apart late in the contest to produce the positive result for the Pirates (3-3-1).
Early in the game, Ventura had a couple of major scares defensively of which, fortunately, the Roadrunners were not able to take advantage. After settling down, Ventura was able to go on the offensive, producing solid runs at the goal in the 8th and 16th minutes. Eva Mcmillan turned back a couple of Roadrunner shots as the half progressed, and the game was tied 0-0 at halftime.
Early in the second half Rio Hondo was on the attack when a shot appeared to be headed wide. Unluckily, the ball was redirected by a Pirate defender and slid into the lower right corner of the net for a 1-0 Roadrunner advantage. The Pirates turned things around, however, and continued the fight and strengthening their play despite the unfortunate goal.
VC's persistence paid off in the 74th minute when Aldrete was able to corral a rebounded shot by Sirena Romero and knock it into the net, just out of the grasp of the Rio Hondo goalkeeper. Buoyed by the equalizer, the Pirates returned to the attack with Romero entering a shot across the goal in the 77th minute, with Castillo settling the ball and knocking it into the net on the left side for a 2-1 Pirate lead.
Rio Hondo kept the pressure for the final minutes of the game, earning multiple chances for the tie. The Ventura defense held fast, however, and the Pirates posted the 2-1 result.
Offensively, VC ended with 14 shots, 10 on frame. Mcmillan recorded three saves in the game and the entire Ventura back line played a solid contest, especially in the final minutes against the Rio Hondo pressure.
Ventura continues a difficult nine-day stretch on Tuesday Sept. 19 At East Los Angeles College. The Pirates will then host Los Angeles Pierce College on Friday Sept. 22 before traveling to Cerritos on Sunday Sept. 24.