The Ventura College women's soccer team dropped their season 2022 season opener to visiting College of the Canyons 3-1 Friday evening at the VC Sportsplex. Alexis Arrieta converted a steal deep in the Cougars' end into a quick goal for VC's lone score of the game in the 66th minute. The Pirates produced six shots in the game with a pair on frame while Canyons had 10 shots, three on goal.
Perhaps with opening-night jitters, the teams produced a scoreless tie in the first 45 minutes of play.
The Cougars (1-0-0) came out aggressive in the second half, netting a score one minute in off a rebound from a goal-line save by the Pirate defense. Canyons went ahead 2-0 six minutes later.
Arrieta halved the deficit in the 66th minute, collecting the ball from the CoC deep in their own end and slotting a shot low inside the far post to make the score 2-1.
Ventura (0-1-0) had a few chances at the equalizer over the next few minutes of play, energized by Arrieta's score, but they could not find the inside of the net.
Despite VC's best efforts, the Cougars put the match away with a goal off a counter attack in the 85th minute to set the final margin.
The Pirates return to action on Thursday Sept. 1 hosting Cypress in the final game of the opening day of the New Balance Showcase at the Sportsplex at 8:00 pm.