WSoc: Lopez helps Vaqueros tie Pierce 1-1

Briana Lopez converted a 22-yard shot in the 76th minute on Friday night and SBCC earned a 1-1 women’s soccer tie with L.A. Pierce at La Playa Stadium.

The Vaqueros are 4-3-1 and 1-0-1 in the WSC North.

“I could have passed to my forward on the right but I saw that gap open and I just decided to take a crack at it,” said Lopez, a former Santa Barbara High star, after notching her first goal of the year. “I hit it pretty hard and I tried to curve it a little.”

The ball caromed off the top of the goalie’s outstretched hand and into the net.

Pierce (4-3-2, 0-0-1) controlled the first half with a 10-4 advantage in shots and 6-1 in shots on goal.

Michelle Somers put the Brahmas up 1-0 with a rebound goal into an open net in the 38th minute. Jessica Castillejo got the assist after her shot bounced back off the left goalpost.

The Vaqueros nearly tied it in the 71st minute when Brandie Harris crossed a ball to Jackie Holmer but her header caromed off the post.

“We came back in the second half and got the equalizer on a tremendous goal from Briana,” said coach John Sisterson. “It was a good competitive game that we could have won.”

SBCC midfielder Shirley Benitez suffered an injury in the 14th minute and never returned.

The Vaqueros complete a five-game homestand on Tuesday with a 7 p.m. WSC contest against Moorpark.