Ventura County FC had to settle for 1 point in a penalty shootout loss to Austin FC II at William Rolland Stadium on Saturday.

VCFC started the match on the front foot, eventually taking a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute. Enrique Martinez played a long ball over the Austin backline, which Julian Placias ran onto. Racing towards goal, Placias spotted Troy Elgersma in the box for the open goal. Elgersma tucked it home for his second goal of the season. Elgersma’s first goal of the season also came against Austin back in March.

Austin seemed unfazed by the goal and pushed on for the equalizer. The visitors’ best chance came from forward Micah Burton in the 29th minute. Burton curled one towards the far post on his right foot, just putting it over the bar.

HALFTIME: VCFC 1 – ATX 0

Just minutes into the first half, VCFC nearly gave up an equalizer. A misplaced pass in the back was picked off by Austin. Sebastian Conlon rushed out of his box to stop the initial attempt before Austin midfielder Djaka Barro put the rebound over the bar.

Austin equalized in the 60th minute. Left back Austin Cayelli whipped in a left footed cross to the back post. Forward Diego Abarca beat his defender and headed it home to tie the game up. Austin nearly took the lead just minutes later after Jose Magaña fouled Ibrahima Sall in the box. Jorge Alastuey stepped up to take the penalty for Austin, but Sebastian Conlon saved it. This was Conlon’s second straight game saving a penalty in regulation time.

The score remained 1-1 at the end of regulation time, meaning penalties would decide who would take the extra point. Dylan Vanney scored the lone penalty for VCFC while all Austin shooters scored their penalties.

FINAL SCORE: VCFC 1 (1) – ATX 1 (3)

MATCH DETAILS

Scoring Summary
18’ – VCFC – Troy Elgersma (Julian Placias)
60′ – ATX – Diego Abarca (Patrick Cayelli)

Disciplinary
23’ – ATX – Patrick Cayelli (Yellow)
69’ – ATX – Riley Thomas (Yellow)

Statistics
Possession: VCFC 51% – ATX 49%
Shots: VCFC 10 – ATX 24
Shots on Goal: VCFC 3 – ATX 10
Saves: VCFC 9 – ATX 2
Fouls: VCFC 15 – ATX 14
Offsides: VCFC 2 – ATX 1
Corners: VCFC 3 – ATX 4

Ventura County FC
41.Sebastian Conlon, 73. Enrique Martinez, 60. Sebastian Hernandez, 64. Jose Magaña (50. Riley Dalgado, 75’), 88. Mason Vanney, 66. Mateo Tsakiris (87. Gabriel Arnold, 57’) 47. Arnau Vilamitjana, 76.Troy Elgersma, 45.Vicente Garcia (92. Issak Luna, 87’), 57.Julian Placias, 49. Dylan Vanney

Austin FC II
13. Erik Lauta, 2. Riley Thomas, 4. Evan Watt, 5. Jules Berry, 18. Patrick Cayelli, 24. Kenan Hot (8. Adrian Gonzalez, 56’), 6. Djaka Barro (16. Marcel Ruszel, 80’), 10. Jorge Alastuey, 7. Diego Abarca, 20. Mohammad Badawiya (7. Diego Abarca, 56’), 22. Ibrahima Sall (9. Vlad Dănciuțiu, 68’), 32. Micah Burton (21. Stefan Dobrijevic, 57’)