Moorpark women’s soccer team took on Cuesta last Tuesday Oct. 5 in a tightly contested match that featured superb defensive play.

Throughout the beginning of the first half, the ball went back and forth between the two teams on the defensive end. Eventually, Moorpark freshman forward Mia Nilsen-Aguilar secured the first and only goal of the half.

“I was watching us keep the ball, waiting for it to come back in,” said Nilsen-Aguilar. “Skylar, one of our outside backs, had a really great kick, and as she kicked it in, I was just at the right place at the right time for the goal.”

In the second half, Cuesta looked to gain control of the game and Moorpark looked to maintain its lead.

Both teams once again came onto the field defensively aggressive. Around the midway point of the second half, Moorpark freshman forward Riley Tripp was able to score, extending Moorpark’s lead to 2-0.

“They just hit the ball over and I just kept sprinting,” said Tripp. “I just kept running with it and saw the keeper had come out, and I just kicked it as hard as I could and prayed that it would go in.”

Cuesta was able to obtain a late goal in the second half, but it wouldn’t be enough to put the team back in the game, as Moorpark won by a final score of 2-1.

Moorpark coach Kai Werring commented after the game on how the team was able to bounce back today after two tough losses.

“We bought more into our philosophy of keeping the ball,” expressed Werring. “Because of us keeping possession throughout, we were able to get two goals and come away with the victory.”

Werring also provided updates on injuries that the team had prior to the game.

“We had two players out- Skylar Rusch and Sydney Zeto- for the Ventura game and that brought us to a really low number,” said Werring. “Having those two back today really gave our defense a lot more stability and also the ability to play out of the back.”