Pirates Fall Twice in Close Games at Mt. SAC Tourney

The Pirates' women's water polo team dropped a pair of tough games Friday at the Mt. San Antonio College Tournament in Walnut. Ventura dropped a 16-11 decision to San Diego Miramar in the opener before falling 12-9 to Fullerton in the nightcap. AnnMarie Patterson and Ella Montano led VC (7-4) with six goals each on the day while Kelsee Espitia added five. Ava Carey totaled 21 saves in the two games.

Ventura 11, San Diego Miramar 16

For the second time in six days, the Pirates, ranked No. 8 in the state dropped a decision to the No. 7-ranked Jets. 

The game was close for the first three periods. Stevie Sturges found the inside of the cage early as VC trailed 2-1 at the end of the first quarter and Ventura was outscored 6-5 in the second for an 8-6 halftime deficit. Goals by Patterson and Montano maintained the margin through three quarters of play before Miramar pulled away in the final eight minutes.

Montano turned in a solid performance with four goals, four assists and three steals and Espitia totaled a pair of scores with three dimes, one steal and one drawn exclusion. Patterson had two goals and two drawn exclusions. Mikela De Aguiar and Milla Malesich each netted a goal and JoJo Thayne handed out an assist and grabbed two thefts.

Ventura 9, Fullerton 12

VC held a 5-4 halftime advantage over the Hornets, but could not hold on in their second game of the day.

In a low-scoring defensive battle, Fullerton and Ventura were tied 1-1 led after the first eight minutes of play with Espitia scoring a goal in the closing seconds of the period.

Montano evened the game at 2-2 with 6:29 remaining in the first half while Espitia scored the next two goals for the Pirates in response to Hornet scores. Patterson found the inside of the cage at the 1:05 mark to give the Pirates the halftime edge.

Fullerton retook the lead with two goals to begin the third stanza before Patterson scored the equalizer with 4:39 on the clock. The Hornets scored again at the 3:02 mark to hold a 7-6 lead headed to the fourth quarter.

Montano knotted the score at 7-7 in the first minute of the final period, but Fullerton responded wit three straight goals to take control late.

Patterson led the effort with four goals, one assist and one steal and Espitia scored three times wit three steals and three drawn exclusions. Montano recorded a pair of goals with three helpers and two thefts. Carey was solid in the cage with 15 saves.

Ventura will complete the tournament on Saturday Sept.28 with games against Long Beach and Palomar.