The VC women's soccer team racked up its best offensive night of the season with a 5-1 victory over visiting Oxnard at the VC Sportsplex on Tuesday night. Jacky Espinosa continued her hot streak with two goals and two assists while Sammy Zanini also notched a pair of scores on the night. Karen Martinez also had a goal as the Pirates (11-4-3, 6-2-1) pulled into a first place tie with Cuesta, two points ahead of Santa Barbara in the Western State Conference North Division race.
Espinosa got things going quickly, taking a pass from Aleesa Ramirez in the third minute and powering it to the net from 30 yards out, through the goalie's outstretched arms for a 1-0 Pirate advantage.
In the 19th minute, VC began a string of three goals in seven minutes. Espinosa hit Zanini streaking down the left side. The sophomore changed direction on the breakaway, cutting to the middle before firing a rocket to the far side of the goal from just outside the box.
Five minutes later, Zanini took another pass from Espinosa on the left side, this time shooting a laser just inside the far post from 30 yards out.
Martinez gave Ventura a 4-0 lead by taking a pass from Anna Escobar in front of the net and slotting a shot past the goalie for the score.
The Condors did manage to get on the board in the 37th minute off a perfect free kick from 30 yards out, crossing the goal line on the top shelf just inside the left post. VC led at halftime, 4-1.
In the 58th minute, Espinosa found the net once again, taking a pass from Stephany Ramirez on the left side, and turning on it just outside the box on the top and slotting a shot past the goalie for the score and the final margin.
Also on Tuesday, Cuesta lost to Hancock and Santa Barbara tied at LA Pierce to tighten the WSC North race. VC, 6-2-1 in conference play, and Cuesta, 6-3-1, sit atop the division with 19 points each while Santa Barbara, 5-1-2, sits closely behind with 17 points. The Cougars have two matches remaining on the docket while Ventura and Santa Barbara have three and four, respectively.
The Pirates will host the Vaqueros in a pivotal match-up on Sunday Nov. 10 in a make-up of the postponed contest from Oct. 25. Kick-off set set for 6:00 pm at the VC Sportsplex.