Pirates Split Final Day of Cesar Chavez Tourney

The Ventura College men's water polo team concluded its weekend at the Cesar Chavez Tournament at Southwestern College by splitting a pair of games in Chula Vista. VC allowed a late rally by San Diego Mesa in the first contest of the day, falling 12-10 before rebounding to defeat the host Jaguars 16-12. Zane Herman had six goals in the two games while Janson Cunningham and Andre Galvez each netted five scores. Mariano Galvez recorded 18 saves in the cage for VC (3-2).

Ventura 10, San Diego Mesa 12

The Pirates jumped out to a nice lead in the first quarter. Alexis Nava, Andre and Anthony Ibarra all scored in the first four minutes of play for a 3-1 Ventura advantage, and Cunningham's goal in the final minute of the stanza made it 4-1 at the quarter break. 

The teams traded goals in the second period with Cunningham and Andre finding the cage for the Pirates as they led 6-3 at intermission.

Ibarra and Nava scored early in the third quarter as Ventura began to pull away 8-3, but the Olympians had other plans. Mesa scored three of the next four goals to make it 9-6 at the end of three quarters.

It was all Olympians in the final period as Mesa outscored the Pirates 6-1 over the final eight minutes of play for the final 12-10 margin.

Cunningham finished with three goals in the contest while Andre netted two scores with two assists, two blocks and five drawn ejections. Ibarra also scored twice with a pair of drawn ejections. Nava also had a pair of scores with two helpers for VC and Mariano produced seven saves in the cage.

Ventura 16, Southwestern 12

VC rebounded in their fifth game in two days with a victory over the tournament hosts. The Pirates had a strong second quarter, outscoring the Jaguars 4-1, to take control of the game. Ibarra, Cunningham and Herman scored consecutive goals over the final six minutes of the first half to give Ventura a 7-4 lead at halftime.

Herman caught fire in the third period scoring three straight goals to move Ventura ahead 13-7 with 2:16 left on the clock. Herman and Nava then scored early in the fourth to give the Pirates a 15-9 advantage with five minutes left in the game. 

Herman had five goals, three assists, one steal and one field block to lead VC in the victory and Andre netted three scores with a pair of helpers , two steals and four drawn ejections. Nava finished with two goals, three assists and a steal and Cunningham had two goals, two assists and a block.Mariano turned back 11 Southwestern shots while protecting the goal.

Ventura returns to the pool on Friday Sept. 17 at the Mt. SAC Tournament in Walnut. VC takes on Rio Hondo and Orange Coast in their one day at the tourney.