Ventura Owns San Diego With Two Tough Victories

The VC women's water polo team owned San Diego over the weekend with two victories Saturday at the Southwestern Mini. Ventura (7-2) made it a 4-0 weekend with an 11-6 win over Grossmont and a 11-9 triumph against San Diego Miramar Saturday in Chula Vista. Gabrielle MacNeill netted eight goals in the two contests while Ahna Davis owned the cage with 21 saves in goal.

Ventura 11, Grossmont 6

In the morning game, the Pirates trailed 1-0 and 2-1 in the first half before scores from Kelsee Espitia and MacNeill put VC ahead midway through the second quarter. The Griffins pulled to within 4-3 following halftime before MacNeill and Ella Montano netted goals to stretch the lead to three, 6-3. The Pirates outscored Grossmont 3-1 in the final period to insure the win.

MacNeill led the effort in the middle with five goals. Espitia had three scores with an assist, a drawn ejection and one steal and Montano netted three goals with a pair of helpers, a drawn ejection and a theft. Kendall Ribbers was a presence offensively with four drawn ejections and Emily Baughn had two drawn ejections and two steals. Davis totaled nine saves in the cage with two steals and four assists.

Ventura 11, San Diego Miramar 9

The Pirates completed the weekend sweep with the 11-9 triumph over the Jets.

VC trailed 4-3 midway through the opening period when MacNeill scored back-to-back goals to put her team ahead. Espitia also scored to make it 6-4 for Ventura at the quarter break. The Pirates led 8-5 at halftime but gave up three goals without a score in the third to enter the final eight minutes tied 8-8. Baughn found the inside of the cage twice, and MacNeill scored a goal to help VC regain control in the final stanza for the victory.

Espitia was solid all around with four gaols, three assists, two drawn ejections and a steal. MacNeill added three scores, one dime and a drawn ejection while Baughn and Kendal Santos also scored two gaols each. Santos added three steals defensively and Baughn had a pair of drawn ejections. Ribbers dished out two assists with two drawn ejections and a steal.  Davis was on point again with 12 big saves in the cage to go along with three thefts.

Ventura next travels to the Mt. San Antonio Tournament on Friday and Saturday Sept. 22 and 23.