Half Is Enough for Buena to Turn Back Ventura, 4-0

A Buena High fan talking to a friend on the sideline put the game in perspective.

“It took a while for the dogs to come out,” said the fan who watched the Bulldogs warm up to the song ‘Who Let the Dogs Out.’ ”

The Bulldogs came to life after a scoreless first half and cruised to a 4-0 victory over Ventura in a Channel League game Tuesday.

The Bulldogs (18-1-2, 3-0-1 in league play) maintained their hold on first place and extended the longest winning streak in the region to 15 games.

Ventura (6-10-3, 0-4-1) remained in last place.

“When we were at the Mater Dei tournament we lost our streak and we realized we weren’t unbeatable,” said Buena defender Lerin Mundell. “Ever since then we wanted to keep a new streak alive.”

The Bulldogs have been concerned with the lack of competition in league play hurting them in the playoffs.

Although Ventura put up a respectable fight, the Bulldogs were never threatened.

“[These games] are more of a practice session,” said Mundell, whose team out-shot Ventura, 21-3. “It lets us improve on our weaknesses. It even gave us the opportunity to allow [senior goalkeeper] Currie Hunt to show her skills on the field.”

The Bulldogs controlled play but didn’t try to force scoring opportunities. Buena was patient building attacks, at times passing the ball from the forwards all the way back to the sweeper to reset an attack.

“We needed to get more confidence with our shots,” said Buena midfielder Lisa Engel, whose team has never lost to Ventura.

“This was a huge rival. It was an important game for us.”

The Bulldogs scored their goals in the first 23 minutes of the second half.

Caitlin O’Neill scored in the 43rd minute and Natalie Sanderson extended the lead to 2-0 in the 53rd minute.

In the 59th minute, Brittny McDonald crossed the ball to Sanderson, who let the ball run through her legs. With the defense fooled, Engel buried the shot.

Ashleigh Garmon scored in the 64th minute.