Combining for 33 goals and 23 assists in 15 games, the attacking trident of Victoria Burnell, Monique Orocio and Yadira Yoraya have kept the Ventura College women's soccer team a dangerous attacking team after the graduation of Jazmarae Strozier.

But the Pirates have showed they are a force on both ends of the pitch this month, when they hadn't allowed a goal entering Friday's loss at Fresno City.

Ventura's shutout streak, which includes seven complete WSC North matches, grew to 717 minutes after Tuesday's 5-0 win over West Los Angeles

A season-ending injury to fullback Susana Alonso forced Hoffman to shift to a 3-4-3 formation and a sweeper system, complete with marking backs.

With sophomore Taylor Steele (St. Bonaventure High) at sweeper and Evelyn Medina (Pacifica) and Kylee Haughton (Ventura) at marking backs, as well as reserves Katelyn Norris (Ventura) and Whitney Rosenheim (Agoura), the Pirates have been nearly impenetrable.

Ventura last allowed a goal Sept. 28, when Cuesta scored in the third minute.

"And that was a free kick," said Hoffman. "It wasn't even from open play."

Stung by rival Moorpark a year ago, Ventura (11-2-2, 8-0) has used its eight-match winning steak to move into position to regain the WSC North title, leading second-place Santa Barbara City (12-2-2, 6-1-1) by five points and third-place Moorpark (9-4-2, 5-2-1) by eight points