VC Comes Alive at Dia de los Muertos Tourney

The Pirates' women's water polo team broke out in a big way Friday with a pair of victories at the Dia de los Muertos Tournament at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. VC defeated the host Jaguars 10-7 in their morning game before rushing past San Diego Mesa 18-5 in the afternoon affair. Daphne Neilan and Gabrielle MacNeill each scored six goals on the day while Kendall Ribbers, Kendal Santos and Caitlyn Hilgenberg netted five, four and three goals, respectively.

Ventura 10, Southwestern 7

The Pirates (13-9, 3-2) had the morning game in control from the beginning, scoring three times in the first three minutes. Neilan netted the first two scores of the day with MacNeill making it 3-0 with 5:05 remaining in the first quarter. Hilgenberg and Karina Parmisano also found the cage in the opening stanza as VC led 5-0 at the quarter break.

After MacNeill's goal made it 6-1 early in the second, the Jaguars came back with three straight scores to make it 6-4 at intermission.

Neilan scored to open the third period and Ribbers followed with a score to double-up Southwestern 8-4, reasserting Pirate control of the game. 

SWC closed to within 8-6 midway through the final stanza before Santos and Hilgenberg put the game on ice.

Neilan had two goals, two assists, seven steals and two drawn ejections to lead the way while Hilgenberg had two scores and a steal. MacNeill also scored twice with an assist and Emily Baughn handed out two dimes with four steals. Santos had one goal with three helpers and four thefts. Ahna Davis anchored the defense with 14 saves in the cage.

Ventura 18, San Diego Mesa 5

Ventura erupted for eight goals in the second quarter as they demolished San Diego Mesa in the afternoon contest.

After falling behind 1-0 midway through the opening period, the Pirates scored four times in the final 4:12 of the period. Santos began the barrage with a goal at the 4:12 mark followed by scored by MacNeill, Neilan and Baughn, respectively. 

The VC onslaught continued in the second quarter, with the Pirates outscoring the Olympians 8-2 over the eight minutes. Ventura led 12-3 at halftime, never looking back in the 18-5 victory.

Neilan, MacNeill and Ribbers all netted four gaols in the runaway with Baughn contributing two scores and five assists. Santos found the cage three times with a pair of helpers and five steals. Davis recorded eight saves in goal.

Ventura closes the regular season with a game against Grossmont on Saturday Oct. 29 at Southwestern before beginning the Western State Conference Tournament on Friday Nov. in San Luis Obispo against Cuesta or Santa Monica.