Pirate Women Claim Two Wins at Battle at the Beach

The VC women's water polo team claimed a pair of victories Saturday to close the Battle at the Beach Tournament in Long Beach. The Pirates outlasted Merced 17-15 before defeating San Diego Miramar 9-8 in the tournament finale. Kelsee Espitia scored seven goals and handed out nine assists on the day to lead Ventura (16-9, 3-1). AnnMarie Patterson and Milla Malesich each netted six scores in the two games while Ava Carey totaled 22 saves in the cage.

Ventura 17, Merced 15

Espitia scored five times with four assists and Malesich had four scores as VC raced to the victory over the Blue Devils.

Patterson scored twice in the opening period to lead Ventura to a 5-4 advantage after eight minutes of play. Stevie Sturges and Ella Montano scored early in the second quarter to push the Pirate advantage to 7-4 and Espitia answered a Merced goal for an 8-5 score. Malesich then netted another goal as the lead expanded to four goals, 9-5, before the Blue Devils closed to within 9-7 at halftime.

Malesich and Espitia each scored early in the third stanza to move the margin back to four goals and the Pirates led 14-10 entering the final period. Caitlyn Hilgenberg's goal at the 5:50 mark made it 15-11 and Espitia's goal with 5:17 remaining extended the lead to 16-11. Montano sealed the deal with a score with 2:59 on the clock to make the score 17-12.

Patterson and Montano each added three goals to the effort against the Blue Devils and Carey turned back 11 shots in the cage.

Ventura 9, San Diego Miramar 8

For the first time in three tries this season, the Pirates were able to get past the Jets with a 9-8 triumph. Patterson scored three goals and Espitia dropped five dimes in the win.

Malesich scored twice and Patterson netted back-to-back goals as VC opened a 4-1 lead with 2:45 remaining in the first quarter. Montano answered a Miramar score and VC led 5-2 after eight minutes of play.

The second period was a defensive battle as neither team could find the inside of the cage, sending VC to a 5-2 halftime lead.

Miramar closed to within 5-4 in the third quarter before Sturges scored with 1:38 on the clock to send the Pirates into the final period ahead 6-4.

Patterson's goal with 6:24 left in the game increased the Ventura lead to three goals before the Jets responded with three unanswered scores to tie the game at 7-7 with 3:40 on the clock. Espitia then closed out the game with a pair of goals to send VC to the 9-8 win.

Espitia and Malesich each contributed a pair of goals to the Pirate cause against Miramar and Carey recorded 11 saves once again in the victory.

The Pirates resume Western State Conference play against Citrus at home on Wednesday Oct. 30. The game is set to begin at 2:00 pm at the Ventura Aquatic Center.