Soccer Blanks Cougars To Remain in Title Chase

There was nothing spooky about Ventura's victory on Halloween night on the pitch at the VC Sportsplex.  The Pirates dominated play, taking 22 shots with eight on goal, while not allowing a single shot on goal by the visiting Cuesta Cougars in VC's 5-0 victory.  The win allows Ventura (9-3-4, 5-0-3) to keep pace with Santa Barbara, who defeated the third horse in the title chase, Pierce College, on Friday.

Michelle Rios got the Pirates on the board early, cashing in an assist from Miranda Campos in the ninth minute of play.  Dalanie Gavid followed with an unassisted goal in the 27th minute and Abigail Littleton scored in the 37th to close the half with a 3-0 Pirate advantage.

Hayley Berg converted a cross from Sofia Chandler in the 71st minute to put the game well out of reach, and Rios added her second goal of the evening in the 83rd minute, for good measure, assisted by Melissa Cardenas.

The Pirates currently have 18 points in eight Western State Conference matches, three points behind Santa Barbara, who has 21 points in nine matches.  The Vaqueros defeated Pierce on Friday, and the Brahmas are in third place with 17 points, also in eight matches.

Ventura will host Oxnard on Tuesday Nov. 4 at the Sportsplex before battling LAPC and SBCC, both on the road, Nov. 7 and 11, respectively.