The Pirates' women's soccer team used a stingy defense and solid goalkeeping to shut out visiting West Valley 2-0 Saturday afternoon to close out the New Balance Community College Showcase at the Sportsplex. Ventura's offense did its part as well, creating multiple chances and scoring twice in the first half for the victory. Sibella Donnelly had five saves in goal, a couple of the spectacular variety, while Crystal Vargas and Alexis Arrieta each found the inside of the net for VC (2-1).
Ventura created an excellent scoring chance in the second minute of play. Elisa Merlos made a brilliant through pass to Crystal Vargas, who beat the Vikings' goalie at the top of the box only to have a defender kick the ball out in front of the open net. Defensively, Donnelly made a nice stop in traffic two minutes later to set the tone defensively.
In the 33rd minute, Andrea Ibarra's shot rebounded into the box where Vargas won the ball and hit a shot inside the far post for a 1-0 Ventura advantage.
Donnelly made another nice stop in the 35th, and in the 28th minute, Savannah Sprinkle won a 50-50 ball 45 yards out and raced to shoot inside the near post only to have the West Valley goalie stop the shot.
With time running out in the first half, WVC turned back a Pirate corner kick chance only to have Ventura quickly reorganize. Merlos hit another sweet entry pass to Alexis Arrieta who slotted a shot past the keeper for a 2-0 margin at halftime.
The Ventura defense took over in the second half to preserve the shut out. The Pirates' back line of Karen Saldana, Desire Lopez, Merlos and Alondra Sanchez played an excellent game in front of Donnelly, who had key saves in the 68th and 90th minutes.
Ventura played hard to the end with their final scoring chance coming in the 87th minute. Madyson Dannenberg settled a pass at midfield and moved it ahead to Jessica Aguilar, who narrowly missed her shot wide left.
VC had 13 shots in the game with five on target.
The Pirates next travel to the Bay Area for games at Evergreen Valley on Thursday Sept. 7 and Hartnell on Saturday Sept. 9.