Pirates Claim Two Big Wins at Miramar Mini

It was a day of blow-outs for the Pirates' women's water polo team Friday as they claimed two games by a combined score of 44-8 at the Miramar Mini Tournament in San Diego. Ventura defeated Palomar 22-5 in the opening contest before coming back to blow past Southwestern 22-3 in the nightcap. Kelsee Espitia and Emily Baughn each scored eight goals on the day for VC (5-2) and Ella Montano netted six scores. Paige LeBaron had 21 saves in the cage.

Ventura 22, Palomar 5

Baughn scored the first two goals of the game, followed by scores from Montano and Kendal Santos as the Pirates put the game out of reach in the first quarter, leading the Comets 7-1. A 9-0 second quarter solidified the rout as VC won easily.

Baughn led Ventura scorers with five goals to go with three assists while Espitia had four goals and five helpers in the game. Montano netted a pair of scores with three dimes, as did JoJo Thayne, who also added a drawn ejection and two steals. Izabel Magana scored twice with a pair of assists and a steal and Santos found the inside of the cage two times. Ahna Davis started in goal with three saves, a steal and two assists in one period of play and LeBaron totaled 15 saves.

Ventura 22, Southwestern 3

The Pirates scored twice in the first three minutes of play in the nightcap, both goals by Gabrielle MacNeill, and they were off to the races for the second time in the same day. Kendall Ribbers also scored twice in the opening stanza and Montano netted a goal as Ventura led 5-1 at the quarter break. The Pirates outscores the Jaguars 6-1 in the second period to hold an 11-2 margin at halftime.

Montano had four goals, three assists, one drawn ejection and a pair of steals to lead the way and Espitia had four scores with three dimes and a pair of thefts. Baughn had a nice overall game with three goals, two assists, two drawn ejections and four steals and Ribbers contributed three scores, two helpers, one drawn ejection and one steal. MacNeill also finished the game with three goals. LeBaron totaled six saves with five assists from the cage.

Ventura stays in San Diego for the weekend, playing Grossmont and Miramar on Saturday Sept. 16 at the Southwestern Mini in Chula Vista.