Patterson leads VC to three wins in tourney

Pirate sophomore Owen Patterson scored 10 goals over four games Friday and Saturday, leading the VC men's water polo team to three victories at the Día de los Muertos Tournament at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. Daniel Vadas netted nine scores and Patrik Bötkös drew 16 ejections over the weekend as Ventura defeated State No. 8 Saddleback for the third time this season and No. 10 Mt. San Antonio for the second time in 2025.

VC, ranked No. 8 in Southern California, took on State No. 8 (SoCal No. 5) in the tournament opener on Friday, defeating the Bobcats 10-9. Vadas scored three goals and totaled five steals in the game while Patterson netted a pair of goals with two steals and two ED's. Wyatt Dingman also found the inside of the cage twice, including the game-winner with 1:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, and a pair of thefts as Ventura beat Saddleback for the second time in a week and for the third time this season. Bryce Biglin manned the cage, turning back 10 shots.

In Friday's nightcap, the Pirates defeated State No. 10 (SoCal No. 7) Mt. San Antonio, 17-13. Vadas again led the effort with four goals, three dimes, four steals and three ejections drawn. Patterson, Evan Augusta, Bötkös and Boaz Biglin all found the inside of the cage twice. Patterson recorded three ED's while Bötkös drew two ejections and grabbed a pair of steals. Br. Biglin had 18 saves in goal to help Ventura defeat the Mounties for the second time this season.

Ventura opened Saturday with a 19-14 victory over Grossmont. Patterson scored four goals while Nico Rosado netted three scores with four ED's. Milos Djanic contributed two goals with two assists while Thomas Shea, Augusta and Bötkös all scored twice. Bötkös also drew four ejections in the game and Br. Biglin recorded 15 saves in the first half of play in the cage.

The Pirates closed the weekend with a difficult 17-14 setback against SoCal No. 10 San Diego Mesa. Augusta scored four goals, including three scores in the final nine minutes of play, while Patterson had three goals and three steals. Bötkös netted a pair of goals with six ED's and Vadas also scored twice. Br. Biglin had 11 saves in the cage in the tournament finale. 

Ventura next hosts the Western State Conference Tournament at the Ventura Aquatic Center on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-8. The Pirates will be the No. 3-seed in the draw and will likely face No. 2 LA Valley on Friday with the game time to be annouced.