Ventura College forward Destinee LaFountain has signed a letter of intent to play for Texas-El Paso.

The Royal High product was the first player in 19 years to average a double-double for the Pirates, averaging 12.9 points and 11.2 rebounds in her 64-game career. She finished as Ventura's second all-time leading rebounder.

"She's a power forward who plays very hard," UTEP coach Keitha Adams said. "She really hits the boards hard, and she comes to us from a winning tradition."

After leading the Pirates to a 32-2 season as a sophomore, the 6-foot-1 post player was named Western State Conference North Division Player of the Year, California state co-Player of the Year and was the only Californian on the WBCA All-American team.

As if combining with his younger brother on an amateur team to beat his former professional team, 4-0, Tuesday to book a date at one of Major League Soccer's best venues wasn't surreal enough for Diego Barrera.

The Cal FC attacker and captain was going up against one of his best friends, defender Dylan Riley, his former Thousand Oaks High, Ventura County Fusion and Wilmington Hammerheads teammate.

"It was just really bizarre that all of us were there," said Barrera. "He has his car there, which made it seem like home, which made it even more bizarre."

"We were playing against our best friend," explained Barrera's brother Danny, the former Westlake High, UC Santa Barbara and Fusion star.

The 2004 CIF-SS Division 2 champions weren't really matched up against each other ("That would have been really weird," said Barrera), but Riley did receive a yellow card for a challenge on his longtime friend.

"He took me out!" Diego laughed. "I knew the contact was coming, but I touched it around him and he was last man. I kind of sold it a little, but he did take me out."

Having qualified from the fifth tier of the American soccer pyramid and eliminated defending Premier Development League champion Kitsap (Wash.) Pumas and Wilmington of the United Soccer League's Professional Division, Thousand Oaks-based Cal F.C., the year-old La Gran Liga de Oxnard side, will visit the Portland Timbers Wednesday in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

"I'm just taking it all in," said Diego.

The Ventura County Fusion may have also qualified for the third round of the Cup for the first time, setting up unique competitive visit from Major League Soccer's Chivas USA Tuesday night at the Ventura College Sportsplex, but coach Ole Mikkelsen prepared his team for multiple opponents from multiple competitions Thursday night.

The Fusion host the Southern California Seahorses in PDL play Saturday night at 8.

"It's a balancing act," said Fusion coach Ole Mikkelsen. "You really want to win both games."

From Manchester City to Everton to Independiente to much of MLS, the Fusion have played some of the biggest names in the game.

Earlier this year, the Fusion actually edged Chivas USA, 1-0, in a 60-minute practice match on a goal from Hagop Chirishian, who currently plays for Wilmington.

But friendly are very different from competitive matches.

"From my perspective, it's different than the exhibition games that we have against the Man Citys and Portsmouths," said Mikkelsen. "The exhibition games, like the one against Chivas earlier this year, are all about giving our boys some exposure to that highest level of competition.

"In many of those game, you may play a little looser, you may not be overly concerned about making that critical mistake that may cost you the game."

Mikkelsen knows Tuesday will be very different.

"They'll know that the game means something this time," said Mikkelsen. "You just hope you can have them rested enough, focused enough and playing the way they can play."

A road trip in the National Premier Soccer League can be just that, six or seven hours in a van.

"It's difficult to be on the road for seven hours, take a couple hours to recoup and then jump into a competitive arena," said Hasental coach Eric Warner. "That showed last week for us. We're a young team and that shows on the road."

F.C. Hasental (3-3-1) saw its four-match unbeaten streak halted Saturday in Oakland with a 1-0 loss to the Bay Area Ambassadors.

At seven hours, Saturday's road trip to the Sonoma Sol is expected to be an hour longer.

"It's your whole weekend," said Warner. "That's our lot in life as a fourth division American soccer team."

Los Conejos will have to soldier on without several of its key players at the back, including captain Taylor Canel, Jeff Quijano and Chris Cummings, who have work and school commitments.

"It'll be a good challenge," said Warner.

Once over this obstacle, Hasental will host its next four matches at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park in Simi Valley.

These five were worth the wait.

The Moorpark College Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its first in four years June 24 at Moorpark County Club.

The five-person class includes two National Wrestling Hall of Famers, a two-time All-State selection, a multi-sport standout turned local business owner and a Rose Bowl participant turned pitchman and actor.

The Raiders' fifth class since the Hall was created in 2000 includes
wrestler Serge Mezheritsky '90, wrestling and track coach John Keever, volleyball outside hitter Toni-Ann (Merendino) Templeman '01, football running back and track decathlete Gil Carrillo '94 and football receiver Isaiah Mustafa '95.

"It's a phenomenal class," said Moorpark athletic director Howard Davis. "Their success at Moorpark and after Moorpark clearly show the value of athletics."

Mezheritsky was a two-time state runner-up at 142 pounds, who set the school record for takedowns in a season (140) and became an All-American at Fresno State.

In 37 years at Moorpark, John Keever coached football, wrestling and track and spent 14 years as athletic director. He guided the wrestling team to two state championships and 17 WSC titles. He coached 11 individual state champions and 53 All-Americans. As the throws coach for the track team, he coached five individual state champions.

Merendino, a two-time All-State outside hitter, led the women's volleyball team to an undefeated WSC North campaign. The Royal High product was named WSC Player of the Year and Moorpark Athlete of the Year before breaking the digs record at Cal State Hayward.

Carrillo was a WSC Offensive Player of the Year running back for football teams who went 17-4-1 and earned bowl berths in 1988-89. The Simi Valley High product was also the 1989 WSC and Southern California javelin champion and placed fifth in the state in the decathlon.

Mustafa set school records in two sports, leaving behind marks for single-season football receiving (66 receptions for 1,086 yards) and decathlon points (6,741), before winning the Pac-10 football title with Arizona State and playing in the 1997 Rose Bowl game.

He's earned recent fame in Emmy Award-winning Old Spice commercials, was named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" and has appeared on TV and in movies (Horrible Bosses, The Three Stooges and Madea's Big Happy Family).

The school will also honor its Athletes of the Year, scholar athletes and other award-winners from the 2011-12 school year. Tickets are available at www.moorparkcollegeathletics.com or by calling (805)378-1457.

Oxnard College sophomore Gary Johnson has signed the University of Albany.

The 6-foot-6 wing All-WSC North selection averaged 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

Moorpark College freshman Nick Rogowski was voted Player of the Year in the Western State Conference's North Division.

The freshman from Woodbridge, Va. led the WSC with a 1.65 ERA in 11 starts and also led the Raiders by hitting .336 with 11 doubles and 20 runs scored.

After guiding the Raiders to a share of the WSC North title, Moorpark coach Mario Porto was voted Coach of the Year for the second time.

The All-WSC North first team also included sophomore outfielder Taylor Kahanowitch and sophomore pitcher Michael Coates of Moorpark; sophomore first baseman Dewey Gratton and freshman second baseman Jared Patterson of Ventura; and sophomore
outfielder Wesley Wright.

The second team included freshman catcher Alex Bishop, sophomore designated hitter Matt Toczynski and sophomore pitcher Kevin Brown of Moorpark; freshman outfielder Tim Ginther, sophomore shortstop Scott Zeman and pitcher Dustin Babola of Ventura; and freshman pitcher Casey Rodriguez and sophomore pitcher Sheldon Ekstrand of Oxnard.

Honorable mentions included freshman first baseman Brady Conlan, freshman infielder Jeff Bezjian, freshman pitcher Zach Mercer of Moorpark; freshman catcher Matt Burke of Ventura, freshman pitcher Joey Contreras, freshman pitcher Jacob Murray of Ventura; and freshman first baseman Jose Hernandez, sophomore shortstop Kevin Minjares, sophomore pitcher David Barroso of Oxnard.

WSC North Gold Glove winners included Bishop, Conlan and Coates of Moorpark; Minjares and Wright of Oxnard; and Ginther of Ventura.

Division champion Ventura College swept the WSC Gold honors.

Sophomore Clarissa Samaniego was named the Player of the Year. The Camarillo native hit .449 with 35 runs scored, eight doubles, five triples and four home runs.

Sophomore Teresa Lemos was named Pitcher of the Year. The sophomore from Rio Mesa high went 26-6 with a 1.30 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 199 innings.

Ventura's Susan Johnson was named Coach of the Year.

The All-WSC Gold first team also included sophomore first baseman Jennifer Moreno, sophomore outfielder Jackie Dickson, sophomore shortstop Raelene Moreno and freshman third baseman Candice Garcia of Ventura, as well as freshman catcher Heaven Silveria of Moorpark.

The second team included freshman pitcher Marti Lewis and freshman outfielder Amanda Chatman of Moorpark, as well as sophomore infielder Janai Shaw of Oxnard.

Ventura College coaches Nelson Emery and Brad McClain were named Western State Conference Coaches of the Year, having guided the VC men's tennis team to a 16-5 record, including 8-0 in WSC play.

Sophomore Jonathan Lin was named to the All-WSC first team. Sophomores Dylan Cleary and Paulo Fernandez were named to the second team.

Moises Cardinal of Los Angeles Pierce was named Player of the Year.

Ventura College freshman Julianna Bacelar was named Western State Conference Player of the Year. A native of Goiania, Brazil, Bacelar, who won The Ojai tournament, is 30-0 in singles play entering today's state championship match against Sierra.

Ventura College coaches Nelson Emery and Brad McClain were named Western State Conference Coaches of the Year, having guided the VC women's tennis team to a 18-0 record, including 8-0 in WSC play.

Ventura freshmen Jessica Worring and Sonia Landeros were also named to the All-WSC first team. Sophomore Layne Gallimore was named to the second team.

Ventura College honored its student-athletes, coaches and staff with its end-of-year awards at its Hall of Fame banquet Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach.

Sophomore Destinee LaFountain was voted Female Athlete of the Year. The first Pirate to average a double-double for her career since 1993, the 6-foot-1 forward from Royal High was the foundation of the 32-2 state semifinalist women's basketball team, earning Western State Conference and state Player of the Year awards, as well as honorable mention All-American honors.

Sophomore Eric Donahoo was voted Male Athlete of the Year. The multi-port star was an All-SoCal selection in water polo as a freshman and, over two seasons with the men's swimming team, was a two-event state champion and a 10-event All-American.

Thomas Maires was voted Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. The Ventura High product, who earned a 3.73 GPA, won the WSC championship in the mile freestyle and was a three-time All-American.

Carlotta Kloppenburg was voted Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. The All-WSC women's basketball guard, who earned a 3.73 GPA, made 77 3-pointers as a sophomore for the state semifinalist Pirates.

Nelson Emery, who coached the men's and women's tennis teams to WSC titles, was voted Head Coach of the Year. The undefeated women won The Ojai tournament and are competing for team, singles and doubles state championship.

Tom Lawrence, who coaches special teams for the football team and throws for the track and field team, was voted Assistant Coach of the Year. His athletes won five of the eight throwing events at the WSC Championships last month.

Duane Yeto and Steve Monka, longtime assistant coaches for women's volleyball and women's soccer, respectively, were honored with Meritorious Service Awards. Eligibility specialist Lori Kramer was voted Classified State Member of the Year.

Introductions to new players and new combinations are always part of the excitement of any season.

For the Ventura County Fusion, who open its sixth Premier Development League campaign tonight at Ventura College against the Los Angeles Misioneros, excitement is always heightened by the team-building process.

The PDL season annually overlaps with spring practice for NCAA Division I programs, which leaves the Fusion without a chunk of its college-based players for a week or two.

"As you know, the team hasn't fully assembled yet," Fusion coach Ole Mikkelsen. "It's the same challenge at the beginning of the year, you're not quit fully rostered yet

The Fusion will return a core of goalkeeper Sam Hayden, defenders Mickey Daly and Matt Wiet, who played all 24 matches for nationals semifinalist UCLA last fall, and forward Gyasi Zardes, the All-American striker who scored 18 goals in 20 matches for Cal State Bakersfield last fall.

"Those guys have already made their mark on our team in previous seasons," said Mikkelsen.

Zardes, perhaps the most exciting player the Fusion have had in its history, is expected to join the Fusion next week along with Cal State Bakersfield teammate and former Ventura High star Kory Kindle.

"He probably has the most raw talent of any individual I've been involved with in the PDL," said Mikkelsen of Zardes.

Fringe players a year ago, former Oxnard College midfielder Ivan Mirkovic and Bradley University striker Jochen Graf return with more responsibility.

"He started to step it up as we hit our exhibitions last year," said Mikkelsen of Mirkovic, "and I expect him to be a main cog of the team this year."

Other familiar faces who have a chance to make an impact tonight include former Oxnard College stars Gabriel Gonzalez and Emigdio Ramirez, as well as veterans Armando Guerrero and Brent Whitfield.

The backline will be boosted by newcomers like UC Santa Barbara defenders Tim Pontius, the younger brother of DC United star Chris Pontius, and Peter McGlynn and UCLA goalie Earl Edwards.

Midfielder Frankie Lopez, expected to be the next creative midfielder from the Rodrigo Lopez/Danny Barrera mold, is awaiting clearance from the Mexico federation after a spell with Jaguares de Chiapas.

The Fusion are also expecting to add Rio Mesa High graduate Michael Roman, who starred in the NCAA tournament for Louisville, later this month.

"We're looking forward to his return," said Mikkelsen of Roman. "He's so confident on the ball, he looks almost effortless. He's a very smooth player."

After scoring twice in the final 20 minutes to pull
out a 2-2 draw with the Santa Clarita Storm in its home opener last
weekend, F.C. Hasental (1-2-1), the local entrant in the National

Premier Soccer League, is unbeaten in its last two matches ahead of
tonight's home match against the Phoenix Monsoon at Cal Lutheran's
Rolland Stadium.

"There's a good energy within the squad," said coach Eric Warner.
"They all know what they need to do. Now it's a matter of doing it."

Los Conejos solidified their defense last month by moving captain
Taylor Canel to centerback. The veteran, who missed last week's match,
is expected to make his 150th appearance for the club tonight.

"Having him back there has changed everything," said Warner. "He's
organized us. There's a lot more pride in defending as a team."

Former Michigan defender Jeff Quijano, a Simi Valley native who scored
the equalizer last week, as well as former Agoura High midfielder
Jordan Palmar, former Oxnard College winger Alberto Anguiano and
Moorpark College products Armando Gutierrez, Jose Luis Garcia and
Agustin Casarez are among the Los Conejos locals.

Having qualified for the U.S. Open Cup for the third straight
season, the Fusion will face NPSL club Fullerton Rangers May 15 at the
Santa Ana Bowl in the first round.

Rangers earned the berth by topping Hasental 2-1 in a qualifier March
27, so the two local sides in U.S. Soccer's fourth tier could have
been matched up against each other.

After 23 years at Ventura College, Susan Johnson will finally coach her softball team in a home playoff game this weekend.

Which means there's only one word to describe No. 7 Ventura (32-7) and its best-of-three first-round series with No. 10 Glendale (27-13).

"Special," Johnson said.

Game 1 is Saturday at 2 p.m. Game 2 is Sunday at 10 a.m. with a decisive Game 3 to follow if necessary.

For decades the Pirates, which won their 10th Western State Conference title this season, have had to go on the road south or east to four-team regionals hosted by state powers.

"We've been a No. 5, we've been a No. 7," Johnson said. "We always had good teams."

Cost containment necessitated a new format in 2007, which introduced a first-round series to halve the field before regional play.

After being paired with top seed Riverside and defending state champion Mount San Antonio in recent years, VC has taken advantage of the new format this year with its winningest team since 2002.

Sophomore ace Teresa Lemos is 26-6 with a 1.30 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 199 innings. The Rio Mesa High product is also hitting .403 with a state-leading 11 triples. She's surrounded in the order with other weapons, like slugger Clarissa Samaniego, who's hitting .449 with eight doubles, four triples and four home runs in her past four games; shortstop Raelene Moreno, who's hitting .430 with 11 doubles and six home runs; and third baseman Candice Garcia, who's hitting .411 with seven doubles, nine triples and four home runs.

Ventura, which has won seven of its last eight games and built a 14-game winning streak in March, is hitting .339 as a team and averages 7.0 runs per game.

The hope is the sluggers will feel at home this weekend.

"This is huge for us," Johnson said. "We have good gap power. It's very significant playing here."

"We know how to play on our field," said Samaniego. "Our singles become doubles. Our doubles become triples. ... This is where we work hard every day."

It was pitching that lifted the Pirates over Glendale, 2-0, on Jan. 28, as Lemos threw a five-hit shutout.

"It was only our second game," said Johnson. "We were a different team. I'm sure they have improved as well."

Ventura has an opportunity for its first postseason wins since 2005, when it upset regional host Cerritos and played Fullerton for a berth in the state tournament.

"I just hope we have two good games," Johnson said. "We're proud of what we've done this year."

Behind the dominant singles play of Julianna Bacelar, Jessica Worring and Sonia Landeros, the Ventura College women's tennis team has won the WSC and Southern California championships and will play Sierra for the state title Thursday in San Diego.

Along the way, the singles trio have been undefeated, before they were paired against each other in the final two singles rounds of The Ojai last week, when Bacelar knocked off Landeros and Worring in the semifinals and finals, respectively.

Landeros, a Rio Mesa High product, was not looking forward to the experience.

"I think it would be awful to play against one of my teammates," said Landeros last month. "Of course, Julianna always wins (during practice)."

The teammates may also turn the state singles championships into a VC practice next weekend, when they may again be matched up against each other.

Andy Stanfield shot a 4-over-par 148 and Andrew Garcia shot a 7-over 151 as the Ventura College men's golf team clinched a berth in Monday's Southern California regionals with a second-place finish at the WSC Championships last Monday at Marshallia Ranch.

The Pirates will tee off Monday at Glendora Country Club. The top two teams and next six individuals advance to the state championships May 15 in Santa Maria.