The Moorpark College women’s soccer team went to a draw against Santa Monica College in their final preseason game before league action begins on Tuesday. The match was a thrilling hard fought physical battle ending in a draw with both teams scoring in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Both teams came out with offensive mindsets looking to attack one another from the first blow of the referee’s whistle, and it didn’t take the lady Raiders long to create their first chance of the game inside of two minutes.

 After winning the ball in the middle of the pitch the MC midfield played a lobbed ball into the path of forward Shelby Henry just inside the SMC box. Henry had a quick look at the goal and fired a promising looking shot, which forced a save from Santa Monica’s goalkeeper. Henry would leave the game due to injury soon after.

MC endured short spells of pressure from SMC, but the defense held firm led by freshman sweeper Marii Linares. Both Moorpark and Santa Monica created decent chances but neither managed to find the net before the end of the first half.

It seemed as if the Lady Raiders would finally break through with 20 minutes left when substituted striker Karina Tamayo latched on to a loose ball inside of Santa Monica’s box. Her attempted shot was blocked by a last ditch tackle by an SMC defender, who collided with her own keeper incidentally.

With the goal open Karina looked poised to tap in the go ahead scored but was halted by the referee’s whistle. A foul was called against Tamayo giving the ball to Santa Monica, an unlucky break that stirred the emotion of the Moorpark coaches and players.

A break-through would eventually come in the dying stages of the game. A quick throw-in by MC followed by a beautiful give and go between Karina Tamayo and fellow forward Lynnae Davis found the lady Raiders deep inside of SMC penalty area. The fluid passing forced Santa Monica’s goalie to come out once again, this time Davis managed to squeak the ball underneath the keeper in on goal. The ball tediously rolled toward the net before midfielder Marylin Alvarez came in to finish.

Excitement rang out on MC’s side, as they seemed to have clinched victory with only five minutes to go. SMC did not get discouraged; in fact they fought harder to find an equalizer.

Under tremendous last ditch pressure the youth of the lady Raiders showed, as the defense failed to clear the ball within their own half. A Free ball on the left side of the MC penalty box was dispatched on a one-time shot from a SMC midfielder. A powerful effort, which bypassed the Raiders keeper and found its way into the net.

Coach Pivat was disappointed with the way his team defended in the last few minutes, but was very proud of their performance throughout the game.

“We were physical, tactical, and we got the best out of our team. We had lots of intensity and found each other. It’s tough, but we’ll learn from that last minute mistake and move on. Offensively we’ve improved a lot and were plus 20 in shots on goal, defensively we applied high pressure and were exceptional,” said Pivat.

The Lady Raiders are now 1-2-4 and will open league play away to Cuesta College Tuesday at 4 p.m.