WOMEN'S SOCCER: The VC women's soccer had not played a match in two weeks, and it showed in the first half of the Pirates' Western State Conference opener against Moorpark. But Ventura (5-1-1) regrouped at halftime and Marissa Reyna took Guadalupe Magaña's corner kick, beat two Raiders to the ball, and headed it into the net in the 67th minute for the game winner. Ventura defeated a solid Moorpark team 1-0 at the Sportsplex to begin defense of its WSC crown.
Moorpark came into the game undefeated, having ties five matches with one victory. They were able to take advantage of Ventura's lack of cohesion early on, producing numerous scoring chances but unable to finish. The game was played mostly in front of the Pirate net, as the Moorpark offense maintained solid control throughout the first half. The Pirates did have some chances in the opening period, like a long shot from Macey Herrera in the 25th minute, but the half belonged to Moorpark despite the 0-0 score at intermission.
The Pirates regrouped at halftime, and took control of the game early in the second half. VC was virtually manufacturing scoring chances, including a nice lead from AJ Tewes to Herrera in the 56th minute and a pair of headers off of corner kicks inside the goal box. Moorpark turned back all of the Pirate chances until the 67th minute when Reyna broke through.
Herrera had a nifty spin on the left side of the penalty box in the 72nd minute, but her shot finished right at he Raiders' keeper, and VC produced a couple of more chances, but they could not get the second score. Moorpark, meanwhile, had a great chance to equalize with a run in the 80th minute, but Pirate goal keeper Hailee Powell turned back the threat to preserve the 1-0 victory.
The Pirates continue WSC action on Friday Oct. 4 at home against Cuesta College. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30pm at the VC Sportsplex.