Despite struggling to maintain possession of the ball early in the game, the Moorpark Raiders were able to rise to the occasion and walk away with a 1-0 victory over the Bakersfield Renegades.

The Renegades started off as the aggressor, keeping the ball away from the Raiders early. The game was tied at 0-0, but the Raiders were allowing the Renegades into their territory too often early. However, one play can change the complexion of the game no matter who the aggressor is.

That one play came from for a Raiders shot as that sneaked in the top left corner of the goal for the games first and only score.

That one score changed the entire complexion of the game as the Raiders would come into the second half more aggressive and determined. Despite this, the Raiders had many opportunities to put the game away, and could not capitalize .

Missed shots and unsuccessful corner kicks would seem to spell disaster for the Raiders, but their stifling defense allowed no breathing room for the Renegades to get back in the game.
Holding onto a narrow lead is not something that solely rests on the shoulders of playing good defense, and the Raiders were able to move the ball effectively, shedding time off the clock.

Head Coach Eric Privat believed the Raiders could and should have expanded upon their lead based on their ability to control the tempo of the game.

“[We had] position of the ball in midfield,” he said. “[We were] breaking down plays into tight spaces.”
The Raiders carry a winning record, hoping to keep adding some “W’s” to the win column when they take on L.A. Pierce College Friday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m.