Women's soccer can't finish

The Santa Monica College Lady Corsairs soccer team fought hard on Friday, but ultimately fell short in a tough loss at home to the Ventura College Pirates, 1-0, for their third consecutive loss.

There were many outstanding defensive plays on both sides of the field, especially by Monique Boe, Lady Corsairs' goalkeeper and tri-captain. She made save after save, except for one.

"I'm gonna lose sleep over that," said Boe. "The body doesn't matter, just make saves."

It was a bullet shot by the Pirates' sophomore forward, Macey Herrera to the upper left corner pocket of the goal. Boe had both hands on the ball, but it was just too hot to handle.

That is the way the whole game went, incredibly physical with both teams playing like their lives were on the line.

Lady Corsairs' Jennifer Tobias dashed up and down the field, taking several shots on Ventura's goalie, Katelyn White.

"I'm a runner, track and cross country last year," said Tobias. "Push it to the limit and fight for it."

Joe Pehanich, head coach of the women's soccer team, was very vocal and encouraging, as he formulated and reformulated strategies on the spot.

"It was hard fought; we couldn't quite pull it out," said Pehanich. "Unfortunate on the one goal, but the rest of the game was solid."

Lady Corsairs tri-captains Suzie Scribner and Nicola Berry set the stage for a very intense, physical game in which men's soccer coach Tim Pierce even jumped up off the sidelines in protest over a call.

"A very physical game, it's nothing we can't take," said Scribner. "We were short players today, we had no subs. We had to take it, and then keep playing."

One yellow card was even assessed to Lady Corsairs’ sophomore forward, Marlene Conner, who was very frustrated with the referee.

Despite the loss, the team took some positives out of the game.

"The performance is good, improvement every time with team play going into conference," said Pehanich. "It's still preseason."

The loss drops the Lady Corsairs to 1-3, and near the bottom of the Western State South Conference, although the season is still early.

The Lady Corsairs will take to the field next at home on Friday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. against the four-time Foothill Conference champion San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines.