Freshman striker Kelly Deckers scored four goals Friday night in a 6-1 Vaquero victory, as the women’s soccer team passed rival Oxnard to remain eligible for playoff contention.
To secure a playoff birth in the Western State Conference, the Vaqueros must maintain a ranking in the top 16. Before the game, the Vaqs were ranked 14.
The Vaqueros completely dominated throughout the game. Deckers completed her hat trick within the first 33 minutes.
“I felt great scoring four goals,” Deckers said. “But most importantly we needed a big win against Oxnard, to boost our confidence going into the playoffs.”
The Vaqueros never looked nervous during the game, as their passing was controlled and fluid through the entire game.
Deckers got on the score sheet after just six minutes, as she headed the first goal from Dani Jones’ corner kick. Twenty minutes later, Deckers received the ball in the middle of the field and dribbled past a few defenders. She then broke free and rounded the goalie to make it 2-0 Vaqs.
Minutes later, Deckers concluded her hat trick as she shot from 20 yards out, and the visitor’s goalie fumbled the ball into the net.
“I’m happy with all my goals, but especially the second one,” Deckers said. “In high school I would just have shot it, but now I calmed myself down and rounded the keeper.”
The first half ended with a 3-0 lead, and the team spoke about continuing to put pressure on Oxnard during half time. The Vaqs didn’t just play well up front, but the defense was as solid as ever thanks to sophomore defender Jamie Kurcharski.
“The last two practices, we have practiced really hard and focused,” said Kurcharski. “The defenses played with a lot of energy tonight.”
So far the Vaqs defense has been instrumental, as they have had six shutouts and allowed only 12 goals this season.
The Vaqs controlled the game and the possession in the second half. In the 59th minute, a moment of silence occurred when key midfielder Courtney Belsheim went in for a challenge and was injured. She had to be carried off the field and never returned. The first report said that she sustained a knee injury.
Sixty-nine minutes in, Deckers added her fourth goal of the night. This was the striker’s third game with a hat trick or more this season.
The freshman striker from Valencia has tallied 17 goals this season and hopes to add a few more before the season’s end, but she realizes she couldn’t have done this without her teammates.
Both Elicity Fabing and Renee Block got their names on the score sheet by scoring in the second half. Elicity Fabings struck from 20 yards and put the ball past the goalie. In the final minutes of the second half, Oxnard got their conciliation goal, as the game finished 6-1.
Head coach John Sisterson was pleased with the victory, but said, “From now on there are no room for errors.”
The Vaqueros next home game will be against Cuesta on Nov.10, at 7 p.m.
