Graciliano Sanchez Leads Bulldogs Past Ventura in WSC Showdown

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College women's soccer program topped Ventura College, 2-1, in a Western State Conference showdown at home on Tuesday afternoon. | BOX SCORE

The win moves the Bulldogs (11-1-3, 6-1 WSC) into sole ownership of second place in the league standings, one win behind Santa Barbara City College. Five league matches remain on the schedule for the regular season, with a rematch against the Vaqueros set to take place at home on October 28th.

Ventura (7-6-3, 5-2 WSC) got on the board first in the 23rd minute and held a 1-0 advantage at the intermission after a failed clearance attempt led to an own goal. Emely Graciliano Sanchez evened the odds in the 49th minute after connecting with a pass from Cynthia Ramirez for a 10-yard shot to the right corner of the net. Graciliano Sanchez came through once more for the home squad in the 73rd minute with the game-winning goal. The Nipomo High School alum registered her second tally of the day by tracking down a penalty kick attempt that rebounded off of the crossbar, sending the attempt past the VC keeper. 

Both teams were busy offensively in the physical contest as Hancock outshot the Pirates at a 21-14 margin. Graciliano Sanchez led the effort with four tries on frame, followed by two shots on target from Ramirez. Becca Souza, Hope Smith, Leslie Ramirez, and Ana Delgado also placed one attempt on frame apiece. 

Ally Britt earned the start in the box for the Bulldogs and collected seven saves through 45 minutes. Maya Mendek closed the game as the keeper for Coach Vinnedge's squad and snagged three second-half saves. 

The Bulldogs are set to return to action with a road trip to face off against LA Pierce College on Friday, October 21st.