Men's Water Polo Advance in SoCal Playoffs

The Ventura College men's water polo team extended their first post-season appearance in 12 years Thursday with a 10-4 victory over Saddleback in the first round of the 3C2A Southern California Regionals at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. Owen Patterson netted three goals while Daniel Vadas scored twice with two assists and six steals to lead the effort for the No. 7-seeded Pirates (22-12). Milos Djanic also scored twice for Ventura against the No. 10-seeded Bobcats.

Ventura took the early lead with goals by Patterson and Vadas while goalie Bryce Biglin formed a wall in front of the cage against the Bobcats. Djanic answered Saddleback's first goal of the day with his first score and VC led 3-1 at the end of the first period.

A Vadas to Patterson connection extended the Pirate advantage with 6:20 remaining in the second quarter and a connection from Thomas Shea to Djanic at the 3:23 mark made it 5-1 for Ventura. Patterson closed out the stanza with a 5m shot for a 6-1 VC lead at halftime.

Shea, Evan Augusta and Jacob Otsuki all scored in the third quarter and the Ventura defense, led by Br. Biglin in goal, kept Saddleback out of the net as the Ventura margin expanded to 9-1 with eight minutes remaining in the game. 

The Bobcats scored three times in the final period, but did not have near enough push back against the Pirates. Vadas netted a late goal to set the final margin at 10-4.

Br. Biglin was nails in the cage with 20 saves and Augusta handed out a pair of assists to go along with his lone goal. Patrik Bötkös drew three ejections in the game.

The Pirates advance to Friday's second round action, taking on No. 2-seeded Long Beach at 12:30 pm.