Despite a strong start to the match, Ventura County FC had to settle for a point against Colorado Rapids 2 on Saturday at William Rolland Stadium.

VCFC set the tempo early with a goal in just 8 minutes. Eric Preston collected the ball on the left side of the box and struck a shot at goal. The goalkeeper pushed it away in the air, but Julian Placias rose up to head home the rebound. This was Placias’ second straight game with a goal and his 5th on the season.

VCFC kept the pressure on Colorado in search of a second goal. In the 20th minute, Troy Elgersma nearly had his 3rd of the season. The midfielder’s shot from inside the box struck the crossbar.

Sebastian Conlon had to be called into action in the 37th minute to keep it a 1 goal game. A Colorado cross found forward Donovan Philip just yards away from goal. Conlon came out to close down the shot and deny Philip. Just one minute later, Conlon denied Colorado forward Mamadou Diop from equalizing, again from close range.

HALFTIME: VCFC 1 – COL 0

VCFC nearly had another early start to the half. Eric Preston dribbled down the left flank into the midfield before finding a wide open Julian Placias in the box. Placias aimed for the bottom left corner, but the goalkeeper was equal to it. The rebound fell to Placias and he went for goal again, only to be denied by a goal line clearance from left back Jaden Tack.

VCFC were again denied on the goal line by Tack in the 76th minute. Riley Dalgado’s shot from a tight angle deflected off the keeper and fell to Dylan Vanney. Vanney’s first-time strike from close range struck the cross bar and bounced off of Tack who was sitting on the goal line.

Two red cards were issued to Colorado players. Center back Vincent Rinaldi received a second yellow in the 84th minute for a tough challenge on Julian Placias. Mamadou Diop received a straight red card after his cleat caught the face of Brett Phan.

VCFC’s missed chances proved fatal in the end, as Colorado equalized in the 4th minute of stoppage time. After receiving a free kick just outside the box, midfielder Chris Aquino stepped up and found the bottom left corner to force a penalty shootout.

Kendall Starks made 2 saves in the shootout for Colorado before Jabari De Coteau scored the decisive penalty.

FINAL SCORE: VCFC 1 (4) – COL 1 (5)

MATCH DETAILS

Scoring Summary
8’ – VCFC – Julian Placias
90+4’ – COL – Chris Aquino 

Disciplinary
3’ – COL  – Vincent Rinaldi (Yellow)
56’ – VCFC  – Dylan Vanney (Yellow)
65’ – VCFC  – Jose Magaña (Yellow)
68’ – COL – Ali Fadal (Yellow)
77’ – COL – Jabari De Coteau (Yellow) 
85’ – COL – Vincent Rinaldi (Second Yellow)
90+1’ – COL – Mamadou Diop (Red)

Statistics
Possession: VCFC 47% – COL 53%
Shots: VCFC 14 – COL 9
Shots on Goal: VCFC 7 – COL 4
Saves: VCFC 3 – COL 5
Fouls: VCFC 15 – COL 14
Offsides: VCFC 5 – COL 3
Corners: VCFC 2 – COL 1

Ventura County FC
41. Sebastian Conlon, 60. Sebastian Hernandez, 64. Jose Magaña Jr., 73. Enrique Martinez, 88. Mason Vanney, 49. Dylan Vanney, 76. Troy Elgersma (92. Issak Luna, 85’), 87. Gabriel Arnold (90. Brett Phan, 73’), 50. Riley Dalgado, 57. Julian Placias (75. Aaron Medina, 90’), 95. Eric Preston (45. Vinny Garcia, 73’)

Colorado Rapids 2
71. Kendall Starks, 56. Jaden Chan Tack, 94. Vincent Rinaldi, 55. Grant Gilmore, 45. Jabari De Coteau, 39. Luis García (44. Chris Aquino, 74’), 49. Nathan Tchoumba (57. Rogelio Garcia, 46’), 26. Mamadou Billo Diop, 47. Sydney Wathuta, 15. Ali Fadal (37. Charlie Harper, 90’+1’), 32. Donavan Phillip (18. Bryce Jamison, 64’)