Women’s Soccer looked dejected at the end of stoppage time on Tuesday, Nov.6, as their last chance at the playoffs fell just out of reach when they lost 2-3 to the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros.  

The Raiders came into the game standing third in their division, and a win would have put them in serious contention for the playoffs.  However, their fierce desire wasn’t quite enough to clasp the victory.

“It was heartbreaking,” said midfielder Cassandra Matheson. “We did everything we were told in training. I think we struggled getting the ball forward.”

Finding themselves down 0-2 after the first 45 minutes, Raiders’ forward No. 8 Olivia Hicks responded early on in the second-half with an impressive goal to make it 1-2.  The second-half went goalless until the 82 minute when Moorpark striker Kaija Fortuna No. 25 scored again to tie up the game.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, the Vaqueros answered back on the next attack to make it 2-3.     

The Raiders’ inability to move the ball forward effectively cost them valuable shots on goal and consequently, the game, according to Assistant Coach Geoff Raives. 

“We played hard. We played well,” said Raives. “I just think that they (The Vaqueros) were more effective putting the ball in the back of the net. The girls played as hard as they could, but sometimes in soccer things don’t go your way.”   

Their final game of the season is at 3 p.m., Friday Nov. 9 at Moorpark College against Allan Hancock College.