Ventura County FC defeated Real Monarchs 2-0 at William Rolland Stadium for their third victory of the season.

VCFC were back home for the first time since their loss to St. Louis II on March 15. Since then, the 805 side has collected 5 points from their past 2 games and were looking to keep their streak going at Cal Lu.

VCFC started on the front foot and kept the press on the visitors, outshooting the Monarchs 9 to 4 in the first half. The Monarchs nearly took the lead in the 32nd minute when forward Tyler Wolff’s shot from just inside the 18 bounced towards the bottom right corner. Sebastian Conlon was equal to it, making a diving save to keep it 0-0.

The game shifted massively in the 39th minute, in favor of VCFC. Troy Elgersma went in for a challenge against defender Gio Calderon. Calderon kicked Elgersma, resulting in a red card for the Monarch center back. The free kick that followed nearly ended with a goal, but goalkeeper Robert Alphin denied Elgersma on the rebound from close range.

HALFTIME SCORE: VCFC 0 – SLC 0

VCFC only needed 4 minutes to get on the scoresheet in the second half. Vicente Garcia put in a cross to the back post where a flurry of VCFC players swarmed the net. Jose “Pepe” Magaña got the last touch to score his first professional goal and give VCFC the 1-0 lead. 

VCFC’s continued efforts for a second goal were rewarded in the 80th minute. Garcia spotted Julian Placias’ run into the box and played him through. Placias was brought down by the goalkeeper, resulting in a penalty. Placias stepped up and drilled it into the bottom right corner.

Real Monarchs’ best chance to get on the scoresheet came in the 90th minute. Elgersma brought down forward Lineker Rodrigues in the box, causing the referee to award the second penalty of the game. Conlon stepped up to deny Rodrigues from the spot, keeping it a 2 goal game. VCFC held down the backline for the remainder of extra time to secure the victory.

FINAL SCORE: VCFC 2 – SLC 0

MATCH DETAILS

Scoring Summary
49’ – VCFC – Jose Magaña (Vicente Garcia)
80’ – VCFC – Julian Placias (PK)

Disciplinary
39’ – SLC – Gio Calderon (Red)
60’ – VCFC – Enrique Martinez (Yellow)
79’ – SLC – Robert Alphin (Yellow)

Statistics
Possession: VCFC 65% – SLC 35%
Shots: VCFC 17 – SLC 11
Shots on Goal: VCFC 6 – SLC 4
Saves: VCFC 4 – SLC 4
Fouls: VCFC 11 – SLC 13
Offsides: VCFC 6 – SLC 0
Corners: VCFC 4 – SLC 7

Ventura County FC
41.Sebastian Conlon, 88.Mason Vanney, 60. Sebastian Hernandez, 73. Enrique Martinez, 76. Troy Elgersma, 47.Arnau Vilamitjana, 66. Mateo Tsakiris (87. Gabriel Arnold, 62’), 45. Vicente Garcia (95. Eric Preston, 80’), 57. Julian Placias (75. Aaron Medina, 90’), 49. Dylan Vanney

Real Monarchs
99. Robert Alphin, 41. Gio Villa (33. Van Parker 86’), 77. Ruben Mesalles, 67. Wes Charpie (64. Dylan Kropp 72’), 55. Gio Calderon, 47. Felix Ewald, 61. Izzy Amparo, 40. Omar Marquez (79. Jack Ottley 72’), 38. Antonio Riquelme, 16. Tyler Wolff (70. Lineker Rodrigues, 64’), 30. Owen Anderson (76. Liam O’Gara, 63’)