The Pirate soccer team kept pace in a three-horse race for the Western State Conference crown with a 3-1 victory over Moorpark College Tuesday night at the VC Sportsplex. Sabrina Lopez had two goals and Miranda Campos scored in the win for the Pirates (8-3-4, 4-0-3).
After a scoreless first half, Ventura got on the board early in the second. In the 52nd minute, Fabre Brooke was fouled in the penalty box, and Lopez cashed in the PK to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
Just four minutes later, Lopez netted her second goal of the evening on a direct kick to put VC ahead 2-0.
Campos gave Ventura a commanding 3-0 lead, scoring off of a rebound of a free kick by Delanie Gavid that bounced off the crossbar.
The Raiders added a goal late, but it was too late to stop the 3-1 Pirate victory.
VC kept the pressure on throughout the night with 13 shots, nine on goal. Pirate goal keeper Katelyn White recorded three saves in the win.
Ventura is in a three-horse race iwth Santa Barbara and Pierce College in the WSC North division. The three are within three points of each other in the standings, all have matches against each other coming up as the season winds down.
Ventura will next host Cuesta in a halloween night special, at 6:00 pm Friday Oct. 31 at the Sportsplex.