By MARTY JAMES martyjames.sports@gmail.com

The Napa Valley College men's soccer team took all kinds of shots on goal in Tuesday's Bay Valley Conference match against visiting Woodland Community College.

The Storm took eight shots in the first half.

They took 10 shots in the second half.

"At the end of the day, it's about who scores the most goals," Napa Valley head coach Rogelio Ochoa said. "We created many opportunities and played well. The first 25 minutes, before they scored the goal, chances were probably 10 to 1, clear chances."

Napa Valley scored two second-half goals, but it wasn't enough as the Storm fell to Woodland Community College, 4-2. It's the second straight loss for NVC (3-7 overall, 1-2 Bay Valley).

Napa Valley, which won a fifth straight Bay Valley Conference title and advanced to the California Community College Athletic Association-Northern California Regional playoffs last year, has been outscored by its opponents, 21-11, in 10 matches so far.

Ochoa will be looking for the Storm to show a little more composure and a little more patience when it comes to the offensive side and when it resumes its season on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at Contra Costa College-San Pablo in a Bay Valley match.

"It's difficult to be to playing when you're down versus when you're up. The spaces can become smaller – the time, the pressure. And that's what we've been in the last two games. No doubt we've been the better team. However, we just haven't been able to get that first goal in," said Ochoa.

"It's early in season. The boys know that. Still got plenty of time. We can still make this a remarkable season."

There are still nine matches to go in the Bay Valley season for the Storm. They played one of the toughest nonconference schedules of any team in Northern California.

"We see the fight. We see the battle. We see the grit. And we're champions until we're dethroned," said Ochoa. "So, we have that championship DNA. We have guys that were in here last year. They know how difficult this is. Guys understand what it takes.

"So, there's no doubt in mind that we're still 100 percent in it. We just have to get comfortable putting the ball in the net."

Napa Valley trailed 1-0 at halftime in the match against Woodland. They were behind in the second half, 2-0, 2-1, 3-1 and 3-2.

"We had chances," said Ochoa. "I think we were the better team in the first 20-25 minutes before their goal, and even after we still had good looks. It's just us not forcing them to make a save or forcing them to defend. And again, we saw it against Marin as well. These teams are good. So, if you give them a chance, which we did today, they bury them. So, kudos to them."

Napa Valley got its first goal from Jonah Segura, a freshman defender, on a header off a corner kick from Mateo Villanueva, a freshman midfielder.

The Storm's second goal came from Isai Mata, a freshman forward, on an assist from Justin Sotelo, a sophomore forward.

"At this point, we just can't put ourselves in a hole, trying to climb out," said Ochoa. "It's difficult when you're down, and (Woodland) did a good job of defending. It's just difficult, whether we're up or it's tied, the opponent's tactics and ours change completely.

"We have to try to put one of those early ones in. And I think that will give us that momentum and that shift. We've seen it before in past seasons. There's no doubt in my mind that we're going to get one of those this year again as well."

Woodland scored first, getting a goal from Cristian Garcia, a forward/midfielder, off an assist from Ronaldo Huerta, a forward.

The next goal was scored by Jose Alvarez, a midfielder. The assist went to Ayala Oscar, a forward/midfielder.

Woodland's third goal came from Garcia, off an assist from Ricardo Diaz, a defender/midfielder.

Woodland's fourth and final goal was scored by Huerta. The assist was credited to Garcia.

"We were playing smart defense in the beginning. In the second half, it was much of the same. They were attacking more than us, but we capitalized on our attacks," said Woodland coach Andres Olmedo.

Woodland (4-5-1 overall, 2-0 Bay Valley) is a first-year program.

"We came respecting Napa, because of the history they have, winning the Bay Valley Conference. And it showed in the first half, where they were the best team," said Olmedo.

"I told my guys at the half, hey, we dodged a lot of bullets from their attack in the first half. We adjusted. Actually, the second half, we played a little more defensive. It paid off in the goals we scored.

"It's just huge for our program, the momentum that we can carry from this victory. It's just one game at a time and move forward from this. This is done, let's learn from this and move on.

"We came to play a good game. I told the guys, 'Hey, let's get a positive result.' Obviously, the win will help us out a lot down the road."

The season continues next week for Napa Valley.

"After losing, all you want to do is play again and get a 'W,' so it's going to be a tough week," said Ochoa. "We have to turn the page now and be ready for (Contra Costa)."

* Marty James is a freelance writer who makes his home in Napa. He retired on June 4, 2019 after spending 40 years as a sports writer, sports editor and executive sports editor for the Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa County. He is a 1979 graduate of Sacramento State and a member of the California Golf Writers & Broadcasters Association. He was inducted into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in 2016, the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.