Sheehy scores twice in 3-1 season-opening win

Katherine Sheehy scored two goals in the first 20 minutes of her collegiate debut on Thursday afternoon and SBCC topped Orange Coast 3-1 in a first-round women's soccer match at the Ventura Tournament.

Sheehy, a freshman from La Canada High, found the net in the fifth and 20th minutes. On the first score, she took a pass from Josefine Von Der Berg on the left flank, then beat a defender and fired it past the goalie. Fifteen minutes later, Chloe Montano sent a high pass into the box and Sheehy beat the keeper again for a 2-0 lead.

"Katherine is quick and knows how to finish," said 12th-year coach John Sisterson. "She reminds me of Brandie Harris and Jessica Domenichelli."

That's pretty high praise, considering that Harris and Domenichelli are SBCC's top single-season goal scorers with 30 and 27, respectively.

Orange Coast (1-1) pulled within one on a goal in the 28th minute.

In the 79th minute, Sheehy was pulled down in the box and Montano converted the penalty kick for an insurance goal.

The Vaqueros (1-0) outshot the Pirates 15-11, including 8-6 in shots on goal.

"The wind was fairly strong today and we did a good job against a much-bigger opponent physically," said Sisterson. "Alex Camarillo (5 saves) had a big save in the second half and Sheehy, Montano (1 goal, 1 assist) and Kaitlyn Saperstein all played a strong 90 minutes.

"Alexa (Benitez, a freshman from Carpinteria High) competed hard against a much-larger girl."

 The Vaqueros return to the Ventura Tournament on Saturday to battle San Diego Mesa at 9 a.m.