by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 17, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on October 15, 2009
Zack Poisal
Staff writer
The Ventura College men’s water polo team played hard-nose, lock down defense on their way to an 8-7 victory over Cerritos College at home.
The first half of the game between the Falcons and Pirates was a defensive struggle to say the least, while the Pirates held on a 3-2 at the half.
Sophomore Mike Crowley chipped into Ventura’s first half lead, scoring two of the three goals.
The Pirates’ Tyler McClure was determined to make sure they wouldn’t lose their lead from the first half. McClure scored back-to-back to end the third quarter and push the Pirates’ lead over the Falcons by two, 6-4.
Pirate head coach Mark Schmidt believed that his team was not able to create ways to score on offense, and stated that this is something they need to improve on.
“(We) didn’t create shots very well, clearly,” McClure said. “(We) need to work on that.”
The struggle to get open looks was still apparent in the final quarter, when the Pirates lost their lead and were tied at seven with five minutes left in the game.
McClure stepped up once again, scoring the go-ahead goal with 3:30 left on the clock which proved to be the game-winner, as the Pirates held on to win 8-7.
McClure thought that they could have played better, but was happy to come out with the win.
“It was a little sloppy, compared to what we use to do,” said McClure. “(We) came out with a win so that is always good.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 13, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Kyle Ray
Published on October 12, 2009
Condors take VCCCD soccer throne
Dan Lovi
Staff writer
A fierce battle was fought on the soccer field Friday afternoon, as the Oxnard College Condors came out on top in a 4-2 win over the Moorpark College Raiders.
The Raiders started off sluggish allowing an early goal in the first half to put them behind.
The Raiders defense was without Captain Luis Gutierrez, which put added pressure on goalkeeper Barry Uko. A stingy keeper, Uko made many great saves deflecting a series of shots by the Condors strikers in the first half.
Raiders Head Coach Sean Roche attributed the Condors’ success to the versatility and determination of their forwards.
“They showed something we’d never seen,” said Roche. “Their forwards moved very well and it took us a while to adjust.”
The Raiders were outshot 7-2 in the first half, but Augustin Cazarez was able to tie the game during stoppage time at the end of the first half, bringing some hope back to the Raiders team.
The Condors put on the offensive in the second half, keeping Uko on his heels. Despite numerous saves by Uko, the Condors’ forwards were too much, scoring goals in the 55th minute and the 72nd minute.
The game got very physical and took a scary turn when Raiders forward Gerardo Espinoza and Condors goalkeeper Luis Gonzalez collided in the box. Espinoza was able to get up after a few minutes but Gonzalez had to be taken off the field on a cart.
Roche believed the competitiveness seemed to be turned up a notch because the players are so familiar with one another.
“It was a good-spirited game,” said Roche. “Everybody knows each other and it adds extra motivation.”
The Raiders added another goal in the 80th minute on a beautiful free kick by Jose Garcia, but it was not enough. Down 3-2, the Raiders let another goal slip by in stoppage time to put them down 4-2.
This loss is only their first in conference, but it takes a toll on the standings.
“We were 3-0 and now we have to prove we can stay on top,” said Roche. “This loss probably drops us to third.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 12, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Kyle Ray
Published on October 10, 2009
Michael Prieto
Staff writer
Despite being tied for most of the game, the Moorpark College Raiders were unable to pull out a victory, and remained winless, losing 31-17 to the College of the Canyons Cougars.
The game started with a bang for the Raiders (0-5) as they were able to return the opening kick all the way inside the Cougars 20 yard line. Though they were able to begin the drive with a great field position, the Raiders were unable to capitalize on this golden opportunity as they settled for a field goal.
On their first defensive series the Raiders were unable to defend against the Cougars’ passing game, but were able to force the Cougars to settle for a field goal, tying the game at 3.
The next offensive possession for the Raiders once again started off with great field goal position, thanks to a great return by Jonathan Mesa. The series appeared to be on the cusp of ending several times, yet the Raiders would seem to find a way to keep it going.
Whether it was quarterback Ian Shultis throwing a beautiful pass to Andre Garcia or converting a key fourth down on a run from Jarell Holland, it looked as though this drive was destined to end in a score. A quarterback sneak for a touchdown gave the Raiders their first lead of the game, 10-3.
The Raiders had an opportunity to break the game wide open after stopping the Cougars on fourth down, but this did not become a reality, as Shultis threw an interception which led to a Cougar touchdown, tying the game up at 10.
Despite a few unsuccessful drives by the Raider offense the defense kept its head up as it continued to stifle the Cougar offense. A field goal block kept the game tied, and the game remained 10-10 at halftime.
The Cougars would hurt the Raiders early in the second half, scoring a touchdown within minutes to take a 17-10 lead.
The momentum shifted late in the third quarter when Shultis threw his third interception of the game, giving the Cougars great field position, and the Cougars took advantage by scoring a touchdown almost immediately after to take a two touchdown lead.
To make matters worse, the Raiders saw a few promising plays on the ground go sour when Holland put the ball on the turf, giving it right back to the Cougars.
The momentum was seemingly residing completely on the Cougar sideline when the Raiders attempted to close in on the 14-point deficit.Despite being tied for most of the game, the Moorpark College Raiders were unable to pull out a victory, and remained winless, losing 31-17 to the College of the Canyons Cougars.
The game started with a bang for the Raiders (0-5) as they were able to return the opening kick all the way inside the Cougars 20 yard line. Though they were able to begin the drive with a great field position, the Raiders were unable to capitalize on this golden opportunity as they settled for a field goal.
On their first defensive series the Raiders were unable to defend against the Cougars’ passing game, but were able to force the Cougars to settle for a field goal, tying the game at 3.
The next offensive possession for the Raiders once again started off with great field goal position, thanks to a great return by Jonathan Mesa. The series appeared to be on the cusp of ending several times, yet the Raiders would seem to find a way to keep it going.
Whether it was quarterback Ian Shultis throwing a beautiful pass to Andre Garcia or converting a key fourth down on a run from Jarell Holland, it looked as though this drive was destined to end in a score. A quarterback sneak for a touchdown gave the Raiders their first lead of the game, 10-3.
The Raiders had an opportunity to break the game wide open after stopping the Cougars on fourth down, but this did not become a reality, as Shultis threw an interception which led to a Cougar touchdown, tying the game up at 10.
Despite a few unsuccessful drives by the Raider offense the defense kept its head up as it continued to stifle the Cougar offense. A field goal block kept the game tied, and the game remained 10-10 at halftime.
The Cougars would hurt the Raiders early in the second half, scoring a touchdown within minutes to take a 17-10 lead.
The momentum shifted late in the third quarter when Shultis threw his third interception of the game, giving the Cougars great field position, and the Cougars took advantage by scoring a touchdown almost immediately after to take a two touchdown lead.
To make matters worse, the Raiders saw a few promising plays on the ground go sour when Holland put the ball on the turf, giving it right back to the Cougars.
The momentum was seemingly residing completely on the Cougar sideline when the Raiders attempted to close in on the 14-point deficit.
In the fourth quarter, the Raiders marched down the field and put up their third score of the game on a touchdown pass from Shultis to Chris Gant, making it a one possession game.
The run was too little too late, however, and another Cougar score made it out of reach at 31-17.
Raider wide receiver Jonathan Mesa believed the team could have played harder.
“[We] just didn’t come out hard enough,” Mesa said.
In the fourth quarter, the Raiders marched down the field and put up their third score of the game on a touchdown pass from Shultis to Chris Gant, making it a one possession game.
The run was too little too late, however, and another Cougar score made it out of reach at 31-17.
Raider wide receiver Jonathan Mesa believed the team could have played harder.
“[We] just didn’t come out hard enough,” Mesa said.
by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 12, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Anemic Condor offense allows Pirates to take over
Published on October 9, 2009
Zach Poisal
Staff writer
Crosstown rivals Ventura College and Oxnard College faced each other on Friday at Ventura’s Sportsplex and the Pirates had no trouble controlling the game from beginning to end, beating Oxnard College 3-1.
The Pirates dominated the tempo of the game, whether it was the ball control or the communication among players. It was a passing game until the 6th minute when Jazamarae Strozier took the first shot, but it was deflected by the Condor goaltender.
Alyssa McDonald had three straight corner kicks between the 13th minute and the 32nd minute, and the third time was the charm, giving Ventura the 1-0 lead.
After the first goal was scored, Strozier wanted to chip in also, taking a wide-open fast break and finishing it to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead going into intermission.
The Pirates had the ball nearly the entire game, and it was a rare occasion to see Oxnard pass midfield in either half. Although they didn’t have many opportunities to score, Oxnard’s Priscilla Villa fired a thirty-yard goal, ending any opportunity for a Pirates shutout.
It was a passing game once again until the Pirates worked the ball deep into Oxnard territory, when Strozier scored her second goal of the game, giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead.
This proved to be the insurance goal, as the Pirates held off the weak Condor offense, taking the game 3-1.
Although the Pirates won the game, Strozier was not impressed with her team’s performance, and believes the team can play stronger.
“I think we have to learn from it,” she stated.”I don’t think we showed heart today…we are a good team, just had a bad game.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 8, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on October 7, 2009
Shoaib Najmuddin
Staff writer
The Oxnard College men’s soccer team suffered a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles Mission College at home Tuesday afternoon.
The Condors played evenly with the Eagles for much of the game, getting as many chances on goal (11) as the Eagles, but the Eagles claimed the game’s only goal in the last 11 minutes of the game.
LA Mission College had a pair of chances in the early going, but was denied by two great defensive plays.
A shot by Eagle forward Freddy Sazo was headed toward goal in the 9th minute, but Condor defender Gerardo Guzman was able to deflect the chance over the cross bar for a corner kick.
A minute later, the Eagles had another opportunity in front of net but goalkeeper Chuy Romero was in perfect position to deny Eagle forward Antonio Viveras.
In the 79th minute, the Eagles put the pressure on the Condors once more and were rewarded.
After a wild kick, the ball hit the top of the Condor goal post and bounced in front of Viveras who shot the ball.
Romero was once again quick enough to block the shot with his chest, but as it bounced away from him Eagle midfielder Victor Sanchez capitalized by kicking the ball toward the unprotected right side of the net.
After the score, the Condors opened up its offense and had a number of chances to tie the match.
In the 83rd minute, Condor midfielder Max Madrigal beat an Eagle defender on the left side and sent the ball across to teammate midfielder Albert Anguiano but the pass narrowly missed Anguiano and the Eagles took possession.
Three minutes later, forward Nathan Lytle pushed up the right side and made a pass to forward Emigdio Ramirez but the pass was again off the mark.
Condor goalkeeper Chuy Romero was filling in for the injured Luis Gonzalez and had 5 blocked shots. Other Condor injuries include defender Richard Vargas and midfielder Andres Herrera.
Despite the loss and the injuries, Condor head coach Ross Greaney believes that his team played well.
“[The Eagles] played great defense,” he said. “They locked down on our players but we still played good offensively.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Oct 8, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
- Photo by Mariah Devins
Published on October 7, 2009
Michael Prieto
Staff writer
Despite a couple scares, the Moorpark College Raiders were able to pull out a victory against the Allan Hancock College Bulldogs 3-2.
The Raiders came out of the gates slowly, seemingly unable to gain any significant positive momentum in the match.
The Raiders were not short on opportunities to score, but it looked as though each scoring chance was as fruitless as the previous. The amount of missed shots on goal in the first half equaled eight.
Whether it was the five missed shots, two unsuccessful corner kicks, or the fruitless free kick, the Raiders could not get anything going.
All of that changed when Juan Santiago took his defender one on one, and nailed the game’s first goal.
The momentum felt as though it had shifted. This feeling lasted less than a minute as the Bulldogs would proceed to score almost immediately after the Raiders.
As the 1st half was coming to an end it seemed as though going into halftime tied was a certainty. That was until Santiago had an impressive assist to compliment his goal, giving the Raiders a 2-1 lead at the half.
The Raiders seemed disjointed defensively in the second half, giving up two trips well into their territory early. The Bulldogs looked as though they came out more aggressive and the Raiders seemed as though they were backed on their heels.
Despite this, another goal gave them some extra cushion, pushing the lead to 3-1.
The match seemed over at this point yet the Bulldogs would make it interesting again as they put in another goal to make it 3-2.
The scare would prove to be nothing more as the Raiders would close out the Bulldogs 3-2.
Head Coach Sean Roche believed that his team stole the victory from the Bulldogs, stating that they had played much better than his Raider team.
“[They were] as quick as us, sometimes quicker,” he said.
The Raiders Men’s Soccer team improved to 5-2-1 on the year, including an impressive 2-0 start in Western State conference play.
