Pirates struggle to finish and settle for 1-1 tie with Rustlers

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College women's soccer team dominated visiting Golden West College in every statistical category except the most important one -- goals scored. 

Despite controlling play from the opening whistle and outshooting their opponents, 21-4, the Pirates had to settle for a 1-1 tie with the Rustlers on Friday at the OCC Soccer Complex.

In a match that could have easily gone 3-0 or 4-0 in favor of the Pirates, the Rustlers hung in there and found their one decent scoring opportunity late and made the most of it.

After Sydnee Busby gave Coast a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute, GWC's standout forward, Daisy Gallegos, carried deep into OCC territory as the Pirates defenders quickly backtracked into their own zone. Gallegos ripped a shot that was stopped, but not corralled, by goalkeeper Odalis Elias (two saves) and the ball trickled to the right. Rustler forward Kelsea Arenado was the first to the ball and redirected it into the empty net to tie things up.

The first of several good scoring chances by the Pirates came in the fourth minute, when Busby was taken down inside the penalty box, giving Coast a penalty kick opportunity. But the PK attempt by Janna Purcell was stopped by GWC netminder Claudia Villegas, who finished her busy afternoon with 11 saves, but none bigger than her first.

Coast kept bringing pressure in the first half, outshooting the Rustlers 13-1 with the wind advantage.

In the second half, a free kick by the Pirates trickled dangerously close to the goal, but with no Coast forwards there for the rebound, the ball was kicked away by the Rustlers' defense.

Another breakaway opportunity by Busby occurred for the Pirates early in the second half, but again, Villegas was up to the task and stopped the OCC forward from scoring. Coast returns to action on Tuesday at Irvine Valley, beginning at 3 p.m. OCC's next home match will be on Friday against Santa Ana, also at 3 p.m.