VC Wins One of Two at San Diego Miramar Tourney

The Pirates' men's water polo team won one of two games Friday at the San Diego Miramar Tournament. VC defeated San Diego Mesa 25-11 in the opener before falling to El Camino 23-16 in the nightcap. Evan Augusta scored nine goals on the day with four steals while Wyatt Dingman and Boaz Biglin each netted six scores in the two games. Ethan Ortiz led the way in the cage with 10 saves.

Ventura 25, San Diego Mesa 11

The Pirates opened the first game with four goals in the first two minutes of play. Biglin, Owen Patterson and Dingman all scored before Patterson's second goal made in 4-0 with 6:12 remaining in the first quarter. Thomas Shea, Samuel Abarca and Biglin finished the period with goals as Ventura led 7-2 at the end of the opening period.

The teams played nearly even in the second stanza and the Pirates led 12-6 at halftime.

VC pulled away from the Olympians with a strong third quarter. Augusta sandwiched a pair of goals around a score by Biglin before Shea, Dingman and Brennan Font followed with three quick goals for a 17-7 Pirate margin at the 4:35 mark of the period.

Ventura continued their strong performance in the final stanza, outscoring Mesa 7-2 behind three goals by Dingman and a pair of scores by Augusta.

Dingman and Augusta each totaled six goals in the game while Augusta also added a pair of steals. Shea scored three times while Patterson, Abarca and Biglin all netted two goals. Ortiz recorded eight saves in the cage.

Ventura 16, El Camino 23

The Pirates and Warriors were locked in a close battle early in the second game of the day. Biglin scored a pair of early goals, each pulling Ventura even with El Camino, and Shea's score with 17 seconds left in the period pulled VC back to within 6-5.

The Warriors tried to pull away from VC in the second quarter, but five different Pirates found the inside of the cage to keep the team within striking distance. El Camino led 13-10 at halftime.

Unfortunately for the Pirates, ElCo continued to score after intermission while the Pirate attack seemed to lose some of its edge after the break. The Warriors outscored the Pirates 7-3 in the period, then went 5-2 against VC in the final stanza for the 23-16 decision.

Biglin netted four goals to lead VC while Augusta and Patterson each scored three goals in the game with Patterson adding five drawn exclusions. Shea and Brayden Black each added a pair of goals in the contest.

Ventura (2-4) concludes the Miramar Tournament on Saturday Sept. 14 against Miramar and Grossmont.