by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Jeffrey Farrar
Published on September 7, 2009
Dan Lovi
Staff writer
The Moorpark Raiders Football team looked rusty in their season opener against Pierce College Saturday, falling to the Brahmas 37-20.
In the first half Moorpark was able to withstand a running onslaught by Pierce’s Prince Young with strong defensive pressure and electric special teams play. The Brahmas were forced to punt on their second drive and the kick was blocked. Defensive back Phil Johnson recovered the ball in mid-air and ran it all the way back to score, bringing the crowd to its feet.
However it seemed like after every great Raiders play, the Brahmas responded with scoring drives and a stronger growing defense as the game progressed.
State budget cuts forced Moorpark and other schools to lose preseason games this year, an explanation to why Moorpark may have been unprepared and disorganized.
“You don’t know the weaknesses of your opponent,” said defensive captain Brady Smith.
“You can’t scout other teams, all you have is tapes from last season. It’s like you’re going into the game blind.”
The lack of preparation was apparent with Raiders starting quarterback Darren McGee. McGee struggled in the first half and throughout the game, fumbling twice and throwing an interception. He did however show signs of speed and quickness posing a running threat to go along with his arm.
Second-string quarterback Ian Shultis, who replaced McGee early in the first half, showed some bright signs as well. He led the Raiders to two scoring drives to give them the lead going into halftime.
The Raider’s youth was a big factor in the loss Saturday, but is also a sign of better things to come. Receiver Justin Bradley had a big game for Moorpark gaining 106 yards through the air as well as a 24 yard touchdown run.
Johnson, who returned the blocked punt for a touchdown, also had an interception. Punt returner Troy Hayes displayed quickness and agility and defensive back Evan Yabu was all over the field, seemingly on every tackle.
Smith believed that they must continue to work hard and get better, putting this loss behind them.
“You have to keep pushing, cause next week is going to be even harder,” said Smith.
“Every week gets harder.”
The Raiders next game is at home against West LA College Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.
The Raider defensive captain simply sees tonight’s game as a learning experience.
“I think this [loss] will make us come together more as a team,” he concluded.
“No one wants to lose. We just have to push each other and we won’t keep our heads down.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on September 6, 2009
Zach Poisal
Staff writer
The undefeated Pirates used the same recipe for success to stay perfect Friday night against Long Beach City College, taking the match in 4 sets (25-23, 14-25, 25-18, 25-23).
The Pirates (2-0) were led by their three designated team captains. Sophomore Justine O’Connor chipped in 37 assists, while freshman Taylor Edsell added 19 digs, and freshman Shelbee Younce trailed right behind her with 17 digs.
The first set ended in style, as battling back seemed to be what the Pirates were good at. When faced with a six point deficit, they responded to tie the game at 16 apiece. They capped the 10-1 run by taking the lead 20-17, sealing the deal with a booming kill by Younce.
Down one set, the Vikings came out focused and ready to play in the next set. The Vikings took a commanding six point lead half way through, extending the lead to as much as 12 points before taking the second set 25-14.
There seemed to be a trend in each of the first three sets, with the third set starting off with an early lead for the Vikings. This deficit did not seem to rattle the young team at all, however, as the Pirates battled back. The final point came from a flawless ace by Younce, giving the Pirates the third and crucial set 25-18.
Pirates head coach Mindy Arnold-Rodriguez was pleased with the way her team fought back set after set.
“I think they did a really good job,” Arnold-Rodriguez stated.
“It’s hard because volleyball is a very mental game and it’s hard to come back but they came back, served tough and were focused and they did a good job.”
6’ 2” Kayla Phipps was determined that the fourth set would end the match once and for all, helping the Pirates jump to an early 9-5 lead. The lead was short-lived, however, and turned into an 11-9 advantage for the Vikings.
From that point on the Pirates stepped their game up. Phipps started their run by getting a huge block and then finishing the point with a massive kill that set the tempo for the rest of the set. The Phipps kill ended the Pirates drought, setting the tempo the rest of the set, as the battle-tested Pirates held the lead until the final point. Freshman Hannah Stadler’s stellar ace sealed the fourth set 25-23 and the match.
Phipps believed her team responded pretty well to their below-par performances in the first couple of sets.
“I thought we did very well the first game, got down the second game (and won),” she said.
“They beat us pretty badly, then we picked up our energy, and we won and pushed through.”
The Pirates (2-0) look to keep their perfect season alive when they take on Bakersfield Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Ventura Athletic Center.
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published September 5, 2009
Dan Lovi
Staff writer
The Moorpark men’s soccer team took the field Thursday in their second match of the season, digging and clawing their way to a 2-2 tie against the Santiago Canyon College Hawks.
The Raiders were able to get out to an aggressive start, blasting three shots on goal within the first 15 minutes of the game.
The Hawks responded with a barrage at goalie Alex Orellana. At one point, they had four corner kicks and fired three shots on goal in a span of only three minutes. Fortunately, Orellana responded with great saves.
The Raiders, however, received some bad news. Forward and main target Gerardo Espinoza went down with a shoulder injury as he was charging the opposing team’s goal.
Espinoza, who had been roughed up the entire first half, was taken down hard near the box. He did not return, and his arm was put in a sling.
Head coach Sean Roche explained the extent of the injury.
“He didn’t dislocate it, it’s just sore,” Roche said after the game.
Roche believes he will be ready for the next game.
With Espinoza out of the lineup, the Raiders seemed out of sink offensively in the beginning of the second half.
Santiago started the half right where they left off in the first, attacking relentlessly.
They scored a goal in the 51 minute on a corner kick that bounced off multiple and through the hands of goalie Barry Uko, who replaced Orellana in the second half, an unorthodox move by the Raider coach.
“I normally don’t use two goalkeepers, but in this weather it behooves me to let all my goalkeepers play,” said Roche.
Down 1-0, the Raiders did not quit. Their persistence paid off when Kory Dapello struck a remarkable scissor kick in the 68 minute. The celebration was short lived, however, as the Hawks put in another goal on a breakaway three minutes later.
Down 2-1, the Raiders kept on charging, ignoring fatigue and exhaustion. Forward Matt Cresswell broke through a crowd of defenders and hammered the ball past the opposing goalkeeper to tie the game in the 81 minute, resulting in a tie, a satisfactory result for the Raiders who came back from 2 goals down.
“We always try not to lose any games at home,” said Roche. “In conference play we also get a point for a tie.”
Conference play starts in a little over three weeks, giving the Raiders time to prepare.
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Jeffrey Farrar
Published on September 3, 2009
Daniela Rebolledo
Staff writer
The Moorpark College men’s soccer team began the season with a 3-1 victory against Chaffey College, even while playing one man down in the second half on Wednesday.
At the close of the first half, Fernando Zandarin ripped the ball to the back of the net, scoring the first goal of the season as well as giving the Raiders a 1-0 lead.
Head Coach Sean Roche was pleased with his team’s performance.
“I feel very positive about the win,” he said. “I am perturbed about the youthful exuberance at times. But I thought that even one man short, even after they scored, it never really looked like the other team would win.”
The match became a challenge for Moorpark when a red card was charged to midfielder Augustin Cazarez at the start of the second half. Although Moorpark was down a player, the team continued to dominate. 15 minutes after Cazarez’s ejection, Gerardo Espinosa lightened things up with a head-on strike to score the second goal of the game.
Chaffey found their opportunity and managed to get past Moorpark’s defense with a header to the near post from a corner kick.
As the game came to a close, Moorpark continued to put pressure on the Panthers. An attempt was made by Jose Garcia with an astonishing cross pass, but no finish. Josh Hibbert was set up for a volley head-on against the keeper and shot the final goal of the game 42 minutes into the second half.
Despite the victory, there were two yellow cards and three red cards issued over the course of the game. The two additional red cards were given during the final minutes of the game; one to a player from Chaffey and the other to Hibbert.
“I think we played well for our first game,” said Captain Luis Gutierrez.
Roche hopes, along with many others, to win the conference.
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on August 28, 2009
Ara Ortiz
Assistant Sports editor
The Oxnard College Condors woman’s soccer team dropped a tough season opener at home 4-2 against Citrus College Thursday afternoon.
Oxnard played a physical ninety minutes against Citrus, but came up short. Early in the first half, Citrus was able to jump out to a 2-0 lead with goals from forwards Megan Pearce and Tiffany Schneider.
Oxnard would respond with a goal from midfielder/forward Priscilla Villa after some back and forth offense from both teams.
In the second half, Citrus’ momentum continued, as their power offense produced two more goals. A late push by Oxnard occurred when forward/midfielder June Guillen added a tremendous goal.
However, the Oxnard’s comeback was stopped abruptly by a tenacious Citrus defense.
Oxnard head coach Dario Pot believed his team played well, despite the disappointing loss.
“We created chances,” Pot said. “We moved the ball around.”
Oxnard was able to move the ball all over the field, but could not seem to find the net. A few opportunities where it seemed a scoring opportunity was in sight, the Condors could not pull the trigger.
Although Oxnard was competitive throughout the game, they were still not a hundred percent ready, due to some injuries to a couple defenders.
“We were missing a couple defenders today [who] we were really counting on,” Pot said.
Despite the loss, Oxnard has a chance to bounce back from this when it hosts their annual tournament Aug. 29-30.
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Jeffrey Farrar
Published on August 27, 2009
Daniela Rebolledo
Staff writer
The Moorpark College Raiders certainly built some stepping-stones for the early season in hopes of making the playoffs, in a 2-1 victory over a the California Stars Premiere Soccer Club on Tuesday.
Kaitlin Walters scored the first goal of the game, as well as the season, to lead a powerful offensive attack for the Raiders.
The California Stars tied the game minutes into the third half. However, Kristin Cameron, a new addition to Moorpark, sealed the fate of the match with a go-ahead strike toward the back of the net.
With over 20 players trying out for starting positions on Moorpark, players were continually substituted throughout an unusual game of three thirty-minute intervals.
Another significant change for the Raiders included their tactical formation of a 4-3-3 defense, rather than a 4-4-2. The California Stars adjusted to the substitutions along with the tactical formation with various counterattacks, but were unable to capitalize.
Coach Eric Privat was pleased with Moorpark’s performance on the field.
“Today, we played excellent tactically and technically,” Privat said. “We have fantastic leadership at every level.”
The leadership for the season at hand is not to be in question as Kaitlin Walters, a captain and returning player, opened the season with a stunning left-footed shot.
As Privat put it, “It was wonderful. Full of confidence and maturity.”
Walters is honored to be this year’s captain for the team, happily taking on the leadership role.
“It’ll be a good season,” Walters said. “I want to have fun, make it into the playoffs, and go father than we did last year.”
Moorpark hopes to continue their success into their official opener versus LA Mission College Aug. 27.
The goals have been set, and the leadership roles established. The Lady Raiders are competing for the top two spots in the league, want to make the playoffs, and regain the WSC Championship.
