THOUSAND OAKS, California (Sunday, May 19 2024) - Real Monarchs (2-6-1, 8pts, 12th in West) fall 2-0 to Ventura County FC (5-2-2, 19pts,1st in West) conceding two own goals on the night.
To start the game, the Monarchs came out strong and looked to get a head start on the night. They built out the back and put a high pressure on the Ventura County FC midfield to create plays in and around the center circle.
The Monarchs’ first opportunity began by building from their back line to find Tommy Silva on the touchline. Silva drove the ball up the side field and beat his defender in the final third. He managed to get a cross off that landed perfectly on the penalty spot. Ilijah Paul intended to meet the ball there but was tripped up by Ascel Essengue inside the box before he could get a touch on it. While no foul was called on the play, Essengue got a touch before the ball went out over the goal line. This resulted in a corner kick for the Monarchs’ but they couldn’t find their target in the end.
The Monarchs’ high intensity did not last long as VCFC rallied their energy to match the Monarchs’. The Monarchs’ initial energy was lost as VCFC bombarded their defensive line with pressure and dangerous situations. They managed to get off seven shots through just the first 28 minutes of play. These shots came from corners, fouls just outside the box, and an occasional miscommunication from the Monarchs’ defense. The Monarchs’ couldn’t quite keep up with the VCFC advances and struggled to keep themselves in the game.
After so many chances, VCFC put their first goal away in the 28th minute off of a corner kick. Gino Vivi placed his kick right in front of the near post. Omar Alba got to the ball first to get a head on it while trying to defend his net, Alba was put on high pressure and directed it in the wrong direction. This goal was recorded as an own goal for Alba after coming off the foot of Vivi.
To end the half, the Monarchs’ brought the pressure again in their final third. They had more shots and more dangerous opportunities in their offending box. Paul had quite a few chances but just couldn’t find the target as his shots went wide or were intercepted by the VCFC back line.
Coming onto the pitch for the second half, both teams put on the pressure and built up the intensity, The Monarchs’ were looking for an equalizer and VCFC hoping for an insurance goal. Chances came on both sides with Monarchs goalkeeper Fernando Delgado as well as VCFC goalkeeper Brady Scott having to make quite a few game-saving stops.
In the 55th minute of play VCFC was able to put another away. This chance came from a build-out beginning on the back line, moving through the midfield, and finally reaching Harbor Miller on the far touchline. Miller had the time and space to take one touch towards the box and send it in across the six-yard box where the Monarchs’ defense was waiting. The ball came off of Keller Storlie’s foot as he slid to try to defend his net. Storlie wasn’t entirely prepared for the ball and it came off awkwardly, ending up in his own net.
After conceding twice, putting both in their net, the Monarchs’ tried to rally but came up short. The Monarchs’ pushed to the end, having more possession and better opportunities as the game went on. They just couldn’t find one in the end as VCFC reigned victorious on their home field.
SLC 0 : 2 VCFC
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
VCFC: Gino Vivi (Unassisted) 28’: After earning a corner kick Ventura County’s Gino Vivi took the set piece. Sending the ball inside the six Monarchs center back put a head on the ball attempting to clear it from danger but put it off the crossbar and into his own net.
VCFC: Keller Storlie (OG) 55’: Building up from the midfield Ventura played the ball towards the right side of the box Harbor Miller played a ball across the box into the six. A ball that could be easily fielded by Monarchs goalkeeper Fernando Delgado a miscommunication with center back Keller Storlie led to Storlie sliding and sending the ball into the net for the Monarchs second own goal of the night.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Fernando Delgado; Omar Alba, Keller Storlie ©, Zack Farnsworth, Tommy Silva; Matt Bell (Sebastian Joffre, 74), Noel Caliskan, Griffin Dillon (Luke Moisa, 69), Beni Redzic (Daron Iskendarian, 45); Aiden Hezarkhani (Damien Barker John, 69), Ilijah Paul (Zavier Gozo, 63)
Subs not used: Jude Wellings, Bobby Pierre, Will Mackay,
Ventura County FC(4-2-3-1): Brady Scott; Harbor Miller (Max Middleby, 79), Carson Klein, Ascel Essengue, R. Delgado; Tucker Lepley (Gabriel Arnold, 90+2), Isaiah Parente; Erik Hernandez (S. Villalpando, 79), Ruben Ramos Jr. (Javier Corona Garcia, 90+2), Gino Vivi; Sean Karani (Aaron Bibout, 61)
Subs not used: Lucca Adams, Nicolas Schelotto, Christian Tchouante, D. Diaz,
Stats Summary: SLC / VCFC
Shots: 18 / 15
Shots on Goal: 4 / 3
Saves: 3 / 4
Corner Kicks: 8 / 5
Fouls: 12 / 11
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC: Beni Redzic (Yellow Card, 17), Zack Farnsworth (Yellow Card, 31), Matt Bell (Yellow Card, 48), Noel Caliskan (Yellow Card, 58), 12 total fouls
VCFC: Riley Delgado (Yellow Card, 41), Max Middleby (Yellow Card, 80), Brady Scott (Yellow Card, 89), 11 total fouls
