After ending the first half down 1-0, Ventura County FC came back against Real Monarchs to secure the victory at William Rolland Stadium.

The first 45 minutes of the match were relatively quiet for both sides. Vinny Garcia had VCFC’s closest chance to a goal in the 18th minute, shooting it low from a tight angle and having it saved.

Despite the lack of big chances for either team, the match was very physical, with the referee handing out 4 yellow cards in the first half.

Finally, the deadlock was broken by the Monarchs. Midfielder Jesus Barea broke past the VCFC backline on a long ball from the goalkeeper. One on one with Sebastian Conlon, Barea struck it past the VCFC goalkeeper to make it 1-0 in the 45th minute.

HALFTIME: VCFC 0 – SLC 1

VCFC needed just 6 minutes into the second half to level the scoreline. Julian Placias received the ball in the midfield from Riley Dalgado before switching it to Vinny Garcia on the right flank. Cutting into the box on his favored left foot, Garcia fired it home for his 3rd goal of the season. This was Placias’ 5th assist on the season, as well.

Later in the 71st minute, Placias made it 2-1 for VCFC. Sebastian Hernandez crossed the ball into the box from the right flank, finding an unmarked Placias. Placias made no mistake hitting it on the volley to score his 6th goal of the season, and marking his third straight game with a goal. This was the first assist of the season for Hernandez.

The final nail in the coffin came in the 83rd minute. Riley Dalgado won a free kick on the left flank, a few yards outside the Monarchs’ box. Gabriel Arnold stepped up to take it, crossing it into the box and finding Enrique Martinez to finish it off. This was the first goal of the season for Martinez and second assist of the season for Arnold.

The Monarchs nearly closed the gap in the 87th minute from a free kick just outside the VCFC box. Midfielder Owen Anderson curled a shot past the wall only to be denied by the post. The follow up chance from the Monarchs again hit the post before being cleared by VCFC.

FINAL SCORE: VCFC 3 – SLC 1

MATCH DETAILS

Scoring Summary
45’ – SLC – Jesus Barea (Robert Alphin)
51’ – VCFC – Vinny Garcia (Julian Placias)
71’ – VCFC – Julian Placias (Sebastian Hernandez)
83’ – VCFC – Enrique Martinez (Gabriel Arnold)

Disciplinary
33’ – Enrique Martinez (Yellow)
34’ – SLC – Luis Rivera (Yellow)
40’ – VCFC – Jose “Pepe” Magaña Jr. (Yellow)
42’ – SLC – Owen Anderson (Yellow)
82’ – SLC – Liam O’Gara (Yellow)

Statistics
Possession: VCFC 58% – SLC 42%
Shots: VCFC 13 – SLC 12
Shots on Goal: VCFC 7 – SLC 5
Saves: VCFC 4 – SLC 4
Fouls: VCFC 12 – SLC 19
Offsides: VCFC 3 – SLC 2
Corners: VCFC 8 – SLC 3

Ventura County FC
41.Sebastian Conlon, 60. Sebastian Hernandez, 64. Jose “Pepe” Magaña Jr., 73. Enrique Martinez, 88. Mason Vanney,  90. Brett Phan, 87. Gabriel Arnold, 50. Riley Dalgado, 76. Troy Elgersma, 57. Julian Placias (93. Kai Aina, 88’), 45. Vicente Garcia (75. Aaron Medina, 88’)

Real Monarchs
99. Robert Alphin (24. Max Kerkvliet, 74’), 41. Gio Villa, 76. Liam O’Gara, 55. Giovanni Caldeorn, 37. Luis Rivera, 88. Linkon Ream (47. Felix Ewald, 74’), 30. Owen Anderson, 61. Izahi Amparo (44. Chance Cowell, 74’), 34. Luca Moisa (79. Jack Ottley, 82’), 36. Jesus Barea (40. Omar Marquez, 46’), 33. Van Parker