The Pirates' women's soccer team earned a hard-fought 1-0 result over visiting Los Angeles Pierce on Tuesday to take control of the Western State Conference North Division race at the halfway point in the circuit. Alix Tirado scored off a rebounded shot in the 67th minute to set the final margin. Kambria Haughton had three saves in goal to preserve the shutout for Ventura (11-2-2, 5-0-1).
Ventura produced a few scoring chances early. Tirado had a great run but could not get off a shot in the box in the 10th minute, and she followed with a great right to left cross just in front of the net in the 15th, but Areanna Covarrubias was unable to connect with the header.
The Brahmas also had their chances, although less frequently than the Pirates. LAPC did get a solid shot off in the 21st minute, but it was deflected wide by Haughton.
Valerie Hernandez had a nice through ball in the 29th minute, but VC was unable to possess in the box, and on the clear, Valerie hit a rocket from 35 yards out that was deflected wide by the Pierce goalie. In the ensuing corner kick, the Pirates got the ball in the mixer in front of the net, but could not connect with a solid shot at the goal.
The sides went into halftime tied at 0-0.
Ventura's scoring chances continued in the second half. In the 51st minute, Tiffany Hernandez had a nice pass into the box to Salma Galvan, but her shot went off to the right. Tirado had a rocket in the 64th minute from 25 yards straight out, but it was deflected wide as well.
Four minutes later Sasha Franco hit a high bouncing shot from 30 yards straight out. It was deflected by the Brahmas' goalie right in front of the net, and Tirado settled the ball slotting a shot inside the left post for the eventual game-winner.
As time wound down, the Brahmas did mount a charge in search of an equalizer, but the Pirates withstood the charge. They even continued to press of the offensive end with more scoring chances before the game ended with the 1-0 margin for VC.
The Pirates had 17 shots during the game, with 10 on goal while Pierce totaled six shots, three on target.
Midway through the conference campaign, Ventura has amassed a 5-0-1 record for 16 points, six points ahead of second place LA Pierce and Santa Barbara, who both have 3-2-1 WSC marks. Allan Hancock (2-2-2) is fourth with eight points and Moorpark (2-3-1) is next with seven.
Ventura begins the second round of WSC North play on Friday Oct. 22 at second-place Santa Barbara. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 pm at La Playa Stadium.