On a wet pitch, the Pirate soccer team persevered through a hard fought first half and scored three goals in the second to defeat San Diego Mesa 3-0 in the opening round of the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs Saturday at the VC Sportsplex. Daisy Vaca scored twice and added an assist as No. 7-seeded Ventura (16-3-4) advances in the post-season bracket.
It was a competitive first 45 minutes as the Pirates and No. 23-seeded Olympians battled each other and the cool and damp conditions. Ventura managed five shots in the half with three on target while Mesa had three shots, two on goal. Pirate goalie Janessah Gonzales had a solid half anchoring the VC back line defensively.
Vaca finally broke through in the 54th minute with an assist by Jazzy Moreno. 15 minutes later Ventura received the comfort goal when Yaraby Herrera knocked home a Vaca corner kick for the 2-0 lead.
Lex Sahagian assisted Vaca's second goal in the 89th minute to seal the victory for the Pirates.
Ventura will travel to No. 2 Pasadena on Tuesday Nov. 26 for a 2:00 pm game. The Lancers advanced past Los Angeles Pierce 4-3 in penalties after a 0-0 draw in regulation and overtime.