VC Holds Off El Camino at Santa Monica Mini

The VC men's water polo team held off El Camino late to hold on to a 13-12 victory in the finale of the Santa Monica Mini Friday. Owen Cugnoni , Michael Soho and Ryan Webb each scored three goals in the victory and Shawn Coyner had six saves in the cage in the win. Earlier in the day, the Pirates dropped a 19-12 decision to Cypress.

Ventura 12, Cypress 19

Ventura fell behind early and could never catch up in the setback to open the Santa Monica Mini.

Cugnoni recorded seven goals with three drawn exclusions in the game while Scott Wagner netted four scores with an assist, one drawn exclusion and three steals.

Sebastian Ayala scored VC's other goal. Soho handed out three assists and Sebastian Cornejo dropped one dime with a drawn exclusion and two thefts. Coyner recorded seven saves in the cage.

Ventura 13, El Camino 12

In a tightly contested game, the Pirates hung on late to capture the victory over the Warriors.

VC fell behind 2-1 late in the first period before goals by Cugnoni and Soho gave the Pirates the lead after eight minutes of play. 

Webb and Wagner each scored earl;y in the second quarter to stretch the lead to 5-2 before ElCo netted three straight to tie the game at the 1:07 mark. Cugnoni then scored with VC up for the 6-5 halftime lead.

The teams traded scores after halftime with Soho, Ramon Rodriguez and Cugnoni all finding the inside of the cage to re-establish a one-goal Ventura edge. The Pirates led 9-8 headed into the final quarter of play.

Cornejo gave Ventura a two-goal lead at the 6:52 mark of the final period before Webband Cugnoni helped maintain the slim margin. Cornejo then scored the eventual game-winner with 2:36 remaining in the contest.  The Pirates defense held off a furious charge by the Warriors late that included a score with 59 seconds remaining and two possessions with a chance to tie in the final 42 seconds. VC held on for the 13-12 triumph.

Soho had three goals, one assist and one steal while Cugnoni totaled three scores with a drawn exclusion. Webb also scored three times with a pair of setals defensively and Cornejo recorded a pair of goals with two assists and one steal. Wagner added three dimes, three drawn exclusions and a steal to his goal scored in the winning effort. Coyner had six saves, eight steals and an assist in goal.

The Pirates resume Western State Conference play on Wednesday Oct. 18 at Citrus College.