by Timothy Weisberg | Nov 10, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Photo by J. Carlos Zavala
Published on November 5, 2009
Ara Ortiz
Assistant sports editor
The Ventura College Pirates could not stop a Raiders team that has dominated the Western State Conference this season, falling to the Raiders in four sets (25-23, 16-25, 14-25, 16-25).
In a close first game, the Pirates (8-9, 3-3 WSC) were able to sneak pass to win the set 25-23.
The Raiders (16-1, 6-0 WSC), however, showed they were the better team during the over the second set.
After jumping out to an early lead, the Raiders saw their lead quickly dwindle when the Pirates stormed back to take the lead midway through the set.
A timeout by the Raiders seemed to kill the Pirates’ momentum, as the Raiders pulled away to take the second set 25-16.
In the third set, the Raiders looked sharp, scoring many points through multiple kills. Kaki Bage, Teale McIntosh, Una Siljegovic and Rachel Olinyk played well offensively, each getting kills past the Pirate defense.
Though the defense struggled, Pirates middle blockers Anne Westbrook and Kayla Phipps played well defensively against a powerful Raider offensive attack.
The Raiders remained in sync offensively, and were able to dominate the fourth set, preventing any chance for the Pirates to spark a comeback. Rachel Olinyk was able to score points her team, making key kills in the set that helped the Raiders take a big lead.
Raiders setter Olivia White sealed the deal with a soft tip that fell in front of the Pirate defense.
Raider head coach Steve Burkhart was glad his team won but was still critical of his team’s play.
“I thought we were inconsistent in the first game,” he said. “We made a few errors we shouldn’t have made.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Nov 3, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on October 30, 2009
Michael Prieto
Staff writer
Defense wins championships, and the Moorpark College women’s soccer team lived up to this statement, also showing their offense potency in a convincing 9-0 win over the Allan Hancock College Bulldogs.
The Raiders proved very early that they were just too much for the Bulldogs to handle. Both defensively and offensively, the Raiders controlled the match and the scoreboard proved it. They simply were able to control the ball in Bulldog territory, resulting in two early scores by Kendall Dreyer.
With the Raiders up 2-0, the match was still somewhat in question, but this was answered when a Faith Mackenzie goal put the Raiders up 3-0.
A three-goal lead gave the Raiders total control of the match and the Bulldogs were unable to pose any threat. However, this did not stop the Raiders from staying aggressive, as Kendall Dreyer completed the hat trick to extend the lead to four goals.
Brianna Brooskin scored a goal to keep the blow out going, making the game even more out of reach at 5-0.
The Raiders were able to dominate the game because they were faster to the ball and continually played aggressive. A 6-0 lead at halftime exemplified the Raider dominance in the first half, and in the game in general.
The Raiders came out of halftime not letting up a bit, and kept pushing the tempo. Early in the second half, the Raiders were able to add insult to injury with another score by Lindsey McClellan.
Olivia Geckle and Kaylee Finnan each had a goal to extend the lead to 9-0 before the Bulldogs’ nightmare finally ended.
by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 31, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on October 27, 2009
Ara Ortiz
Assistant sports editor
Two teams vied for a win, but this becomes nearly impossible when you can’t score. Oxnard College and Santa Barbara City College could not produce on offense, and the game ended in a 0-0 draw Tuesday afternoon at Oxnard.
In the first half, there was a lot of back and forth action between the schools. The Condors were able to control the tempo of the game, and had opportunities to score, but simply could not capitalize.
The second half was similar to the first; both teams continued to be competitive and moved the ball effectively, but with no results.
The Condors’ defense escaped an offensive onslaught by the Vaqueros, who began to get many shots on goal, with none reaching the net.
The Condors got close to scoring when one of the Vaquero defenders almost hit the ball into his own net.
The Condors were able to get a late push where a shot was on its way into the net, but narrowly missed when it hit the corner post.
Head coach Ross Greaney was pleased with his team’s overall performance despite not being able to score.
“I liked it. We played hard. On this day, I thought we were better,” said Greaney.
Although he was pleased, Greaney was still critical, finding ways his team could have played better down the stretch.
“Offensively we created chances and we need to finish them,” he said.
He continued saying that the team’s defense kept them in the game, and that the goalie had some key blocks on the net, including a key one-on-one block.
by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 31, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on October 27, 2009
Shoaib Najmuddin
Staff writer
District rivals met in Oxnard Tuesday night, with Moorpark being victorious in a three-set sweep over the Oxnard College Condors (25-14, 25-10, 25-14).
Moorpark College (15-1, 5-0 WSC) put up 32 kills as a team with only seven errors on 87 attempts.
Shakila Balkhi had no errors from the outside hitter position, sending in nine kills on 19 total attacks. Sara Justin and Kaki Bage each added seven kills, while Samantha Sander came through with four and Rachel Olinyke ended the match with three kills.
Sander was big in the serving game, with three of the Raiders’ 5 aces. Balkhi and Justin served the other two.
Olinyke completed her multi-dimensional match with six digs and three blocks.
White each assisted on two blocks as the Raiders had six total team blocks.
Despite the win, Raider head coach Steve Burkhart had mixed feelings after the game stating he was not pleased with the way the Raiders played.
“I was happy that we won, but there are some aspects we need to do better,” said Burkhart. “We weren’t hitting well, we need to do a better job at it.”
Moorpark College is back in action next Tuesday when they take on Western State Conference rival Ventura College on the road
by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 31, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Dan Lovi
Staff writer
Published on October 29, 2009
The Ventura College Pirates’ women’s water polo team bulldozed through Santa Monica College Wednesday afternoon, staying undefeated in conference play heading into the Western State Conference Championship next week.
The Pirates defeated the Corsairs 16-4. The Pirates shook off a rusty first period, in which they scored only one goal, by adding five more to end the first half with a 6-1 lead.
The defense was the catalyst, allowing only one goal in the first half, and four overall.
Sophomore Carly Clark attributed the success of the defense to communication.
“We are playing as a team, talking to each other,” said Clark. “We don’t get down on each other.”
Clark was the main contributor on the offensive side as well, scoring five of the 16 goals for the Pirates. She helped boost the offense in the second period when she scored four goals in five offensive possessions.
Her fourth goal of the period came when she stole the ball and took the ball all the way on a breakaway.
The Pirates stayed aggressive defensively to start the second half. They allowed only one goal while scoring four of their own to take a definitive 10-2 lead after three periods.
According to Clark, building up a big lead was important for the team, providing somewhat of a safety net.
“It’s not such a big deal if we screw up,” she said. “Plus, everybody gets to play.”
The Pirates showed strong team camaraderie, expressing enthusiasm and excitement by cheering, smiling, and encouraging one another.
Freshman Sarah Colvin was cheered on by her teammates when she scored a goal towards the end of the game, her first of the season.
The Pirates hope to continue their success in the always-important WSC championships on Nov. 6 and 7.
by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 26, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Kyle Ray
Published on October 24, 2009
Shoaib Najmuddin
Staff writer
The Moorpark College football team continued to struggle Saturday evening, remaining winless (0-7, 0-3 Northern Conference) after a crushing 63-28 loss at home to the Allan Hancock College Bulldogs.
Both offenses appeared in sync at the start of the game, with each scoring on their first two drives.
The Bulldogs (7-1, 3-1 Northern Conference) took a 14-7 first-quarter lead thanks to a touchdown catch by receiver Ryan Bullock and a one-yard scoring rush by running back Chris Richards.
Raider receiver Justin Bradley accounted for his team’s lone touchdown of the first quarter with a 24-yard touchdown reception.
Raider receiver Evan Yabu tied the game with a 13-yard touchdown catch to begin the second quarter, but Allan Hancock College used a pair of Jesus Diaz nine-yard touchdown runs and a fourth-down hold inside its own five-yard line to take a 28-14 lead.
Following a Jonathon Mesa six-yard touchdown rush for the Raiders, the Bulldogs extended their lead late in the second quarter.
With just 13 seconds remaining in the first half, receiver Mathew Simms scrambled into the end zone to give Allan Hancock College a 14-point advantage.
Then, a bad snap caused quarterback Ian Shultis to fumble, leading to an Aaron Michaels touchdown recovery and a 42-21 halftime lead for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs continued to plow the Raiders after the break, forcing another turnover on downs to begin the half and extending their lead to 28 on Diaz’s third touchdown run of the night.
Under pressure all night, Shultis threw an interception on the ensuing drive, resulting in another Bulldog touchdown by Christopher Carlson.
Bradley’s 14-yard touchdown catch finally halted the 28-point Bulldog streak, making the score 56-28 at the end of the third.
The Bulldog defense continued to flex its muscles in the game’s final quarter, holding the Raiders scoreless. Diaz’s fourth touchdown run of the game gave the Bulldogs a season-high 63 points, and sent the Raiders to a second consecutive blowout loss.
Raider linebacker Jerome Rollins does not believe that his team will undergo a winless season but instead will find a win soon.
“When you lose game after game like this it can be very unsettling,” said Rollins. “It’s frustrating but it won’t be long before we get our win.”
The Raiders hope to end their losing ways when they take on Pasadena City College on Halloween night.
