The Moorpark College Woman’s Soccer Team kicked off at home against the Santa Ana Dons on Tuesday, August 28. It was the first competitive match of the season and many were eager to see how the Raiders would fair. 

The Raiders set up in a 4-4-2 formation. That’s four defensive players, four in the midfield and two strikers up front. The first ten minutes were a little tense. The Dons were physically dominating our ladies in the midfield and holding a lot of possession in our final third. There were several threatening crosses from the opposition, and the Raiders were having issues getting on the ball. 

After the first ten minutes, the Raiders made some adjustments and took total control of the game. 

“It was mainly our position off the ball” said assistant coach Jeff Raives. “In the beginning we were kind of out of position, so once we kind of filled in the spaces and we were able to get the ball and win the ball more often.”

The changes made had the impact Coach Raives wanted. Sherry Ranjkesh scored first for the Raiders at the fifteenth minute mark. A few minutes later, Kaja Fortuna blasted a long range effort into the back of the net from 20 yards out. Then, with 29 minutes left in the first half, Evie Vaughan took advantage of a keeper error and put a third goal in, assisted by a corner kick from Olivia Hicks. 

After almost total domination in the first half, head coach Eric Privat made several changes for the second half and the ladies remained defensively solid. The Raiders continued to put shots on goal but brilliant efforts made by the Dons’ keeper held the score at Moorpark 3, Santa Ana 0. 

“We connected well” said midfielder Cassie Mathison, 19. “We were really smart.”  

It is a good start to what will hopefully be a great season. The Raiders Women’s Soccer team is scheduled to play it’s next home game on September 14, at 2:00p.m.