Moorpark College women’s soccer team fought valiantly against Santiago Canyon but fell short losing 5-2 at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept.8.

The game began with Moorpark digging themselves in a hole early on allowing a goal within the first 2 minutes. Santiago Canyon was on the offense throughout the game recording 15 shots on goal compared to Moorpark’s three shots.

Midfielders, Danielle Boggess and midfielder Alyssa Rodriguez both scored goals despite the lack of offensive opportunities in the game.

The main focus for the team is improving defensively. The team has struggled with injuries in the backend. Head coach, Miguel Ruiz knows this is the team’s biggest issue.

“We need to be much better in the back end and our goal keepers,” said Ruiz. “We also had some players in the back end who usually aren’t playing there because of injury.”

The game was close early on however, they keep falling apart after mistakes on the defensive side. Ruiz has been concerned with this all season.

“It was 1-1 early and we gave up some bad goals,” said Ruiz. “That’s just how are season has gone so far.”

Offensively, Ruiz is proud of the way his team performed. Given the amount of opportunities the offense had, they capitalized on most of them.

“All in all, offensively, that was the best we have been offensively,” said Ruiz.” That is the most positive thing from this game.”

The start of the season has been rough for Moorpark starting 1-4. Coach Ruiz knows the toughest part of his schedule is now over, as Santiago Canyon is one of their tougher opponents, coming into this game with a record of 2-1. Ruiz hopes this can make his team more prepared for future games.

“They are a great team [Santiago Canyon],” said Ruiz. “These first few games have really given us an idea of where we are at and what needs improvement.”

With fourteen games left in the season, there is still time for Moorpark women’s soccer to turn the season around. Ruiz is still confident his team can turn it around and win the conference, and he remains hopeful since his team was in a similar spot last year.

“I feel positive about the rest of the season and how our schedule ahead looks,” said Ruiz. “All that matters now is the conference games.”

Moorpark is on the road today against West LA at 3 p.m. Sept. 12. Then the following game they return home to face off against Santa Monica on Sept. 15, at 4 p.m. Moorpark hopes to turn the season around after a 1-4 start begins here.