Friday night isn't only for prep football.

The Ventura College women's soccer team will host a football showdown of its own Friday night at the VC Sportsplex against Santa Barbara City.

The two teams have combined to win their first seven matches in the Western State Conference's North Division.

Santa Barbara City (9-0-4, 4-0) is ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA's national poll. Ventura (9-, 3-0) was ranked No. 12 last week, before falling out this week despite a nine-game unbeaten streak.

The Vaqueros, who have never won a WSC title, just may be the favorite this season. Ventura, which is 19-3-3 against SBCC all-time, has won 11 of the past 12 WSC North titles.

"They've had some good games against some good teams, but they're not scoring tons of goals," said Ventura coach Steve Hoffman. "If we can stick a few away, we might be all right."

The Ventura duo of Jazmarae Strozier and Alyssa McDonald is 1-2 in the WSC in scoring.

"We've got two of the best strikers in the state," said Hoffman. "We're going get goals. It's whether we defend well enough."

Query still open: More than 11 months since the Ventura County Community College District first opened its investigation into the Ventura College and Oxnard College men's basketball programs, a conclusion remains on the horizon.

Rob Briner, chief investigator in the Ventura County district attorney's office, said this week the office's investigation is still active.

"It has not been completed as of yet," said Briner. "We're still following leads on that case. There is still evidence and documentation that we are receiving and evaluating.

"That still is an ongoing investigation with active leads."

They have a hammer: Moorpark College women's volleyball team (11-4), which started WSC North play strong Tuesday night with a sweep of visiting Hancock, is ranked No. 7 in the state this week by the coaches association.

"I saw that," said coach Steve Burkhart. "I like to think we're worthy of that, although I'm not so sure all the time.

"We're still struggling at times to find consistency."

Two of the most consistent Raiders have been outside hitters Savannah Thomas and Una Siljegovic.

"In women's volleyball, you've got to have a hammer," said Burkhart. "You need to have someone who can put the ball on the floor consistently. When you have two of those players, it only makes you better."

Bakersfield beckons: Moments after the Moorpark College football team's loss at Canyons Saturday night, head coach Jim Bittner was already worried about the next opponent.

Old foe Bakersfield had started 1-4 and Bittner didn't want to face the Renegades this weekend with a 1-5 record.

"Bakersfield is going to beat the hell out of somebody, and I don't want it to be us," said Bittner, laughing.

Which means Bittner must have been "relieved" to hear Bakersfield beat Hancock 34-17 last Saturday.

Hoops tipoff: Basketball season opened Wednesday with the first official day of practice.

Which means Ned Mircetic coached his first official back-to-back practices in the experiment that has the veteran coach heading up both the men's and women's programs this season on an interim basis.

"It's a lot of work," said Mircetic. "But we've got some good kids. There's some good learning going on.

"Some of them are really coming along in the cognitive department."

The men's team will scrimmage Westmont later this month.

"We're having a good time," said Mircetic. "I'm enjoying myself."

Mircetic will make his radio debut Thursday night on KVTA (1520 AM) at 6 p.m., which HomefieldSports.com plans to develop into a weekly time slot during the season.

Scrimmage Saturday: Looking for a preview for the upcoming women's basketball season? The Ventura College women's basketball team will be hosting 23 other teams from around the state in its second annual Ventura Scrimmage on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The field includes four of last March's Great Eight, six reigning conference champions and 11 playoff teams.

Ventura, featuring freshman point guard Erica Ward, will scrimmage Los Positas at 10 a.m., Cypress at noon and Fullerton at 4 p.m.

The event also features the return to action of former All-American Jessi Selleh, who sat out last season with a back injury.

Notes: The Moorpark College men's soccer team fell to Santa Barbara City 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon, ceding first place to the visiting Vaqueros in the process 12 points to 10. Ventura College hosts its third Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday night at the Crown Plaza in Ventura. Tickets are $30.