The Moorpark College women’s soccer team faced Santa Barbara City College in a tough match last week, ending in a 0-1 loss.
With an overall record of 8-8-1 this season, the team has a fairly even track record, with three wins at home and five when playing away. Of their last six games played in October, Moorpark has won three times, tied once, and lost twice.
The game on Oct. 17 was challenging, but reasonably even on both sides for most of the match. At the very beginning of the game, Moorpark was forced to make a substitution as freshman midfielder Baylee Pederson walked off with an injury.
For most of the first 45-minute half, both teams had plenty of opportunities to take the lead. In the 15th minute, sophomore forward Makayla Swain got a shot on goal, but the ball hit the crossbar and ended in a goal kick for Santa Barbara.
By the time the match’s first half was ending, shouts of support could be heard from the players on Moorpark’s bench, trying to keep their teammates’ energy up until the end of the half.
Freshman forward Sierra Whalen spoke on the team’s efforts to support each other, both on and off the field, as they were trying to get a better result in the match.
“I think most games we have pretty good energy, but I think just this game, at a certain point our energy dropped,” Whalen said. “But on the sideline, it definitely helps if everyone’s positive and giving us even more support.”
In the last few minutes of the first half, Santa Barbara was on the attack. Moorpark held on to keep a scoreless first half, with both teams creating various chances and pressuring both sides.
Moorpark seemed to come into the second half strong, with two shots saved by Santa Barbara’s goalkeeper. However, the opposing team fired back.
Santa Barbara’s team created more chances, putting more pressure on and attacking Moorpark’s defense. In the 54th minute, Santa Barbara’s forward got a ball past Moorpark’s first-year goalkeeper, Emma Ott.
Santa Barbara was the more dominant and present team for most of the second half, with four shots on goal and three corner kicks.
Moorpark was able to create a few chances to score as the second half was coming to an end. They began to attack more offensively but needed help to make the ball into the goal.
Freshman Ireland Bailie commented on the team’s performance in the game and what she thinks they can do to improve in future matches.
“Today we were lacking a bit of energy,” said Bailie. “I think we had good ideas, however, I think we could’ve had better communication, a better positive attitude to create more opportunities.”
By the end of the game, Moorpark had a total of seven shots, with four during the first half and three in the second. Santa Barbara managed to get a total of nine shots: three in the first 45 minutes and six in the second.
Moorpark’s seven shots during the game is a lower statistic than their average; according to Moorpark College Athletics, the team has averaged over ten shots per game this season. Ott, Moorpark’s goalkeeper, and Santa Barbara’s goalkeeper both had three saves.
Moorpark’s women’s team will play their next match at home against Ventura College on Friday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. For more information on the Moorpark College women’s soccer team, including future fixtures, click here.
