Ibarra, Merlos & Lopez Earn All-WSC Honors for VC Soccer

First year VC soccer player Andrea Ibarra was named first team All-Western State Conference by the North Division coaches following the 2023 season. Meanwhile, sophomore Elisa Merlos and freshman defender Desire Lopez were named to the second team All-WSC north team.

Ibarra, a midfielder from Oxnard High School, led the Pirate offense with seven goals and three assists for 17 points. She started all 23 games for Ventura during the 2023 season recording 27 shots on goal.

Merlos, also an Oxnard High School product, anchored VC's defense from her midfield spot while scoring a pair of goals with two assists. She totaled 22 appearances for the Pirates this past season.

Lopez, meanwhile, was a standout defender for the Pirates in 2023, appearing in all 23 contests, starting 19. She also hit the game-winning penalty kick in Ventura's dramatic first round playoff win over rival Moorpark.

Freshmen Crystal Vargas (Hueneme) and Daisy Vaca (Santa Paula) were named honorable mention all-conference.

The Pirates finished the year with a final record of 9-7-7, including a 4-4-4 mark in WSC North Division play. Ventura advanced to the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs for the 26th time in 27 years. VC defeated Moorpark in penalties in the first round before falling in the second round of post-season play.